American government Quote by Thomas Jefferson

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution,…

— Thomas Jefferson

To take a single step beyond the text would be to take possession of a boundless field of power.

— Thomas Jefferson

Have no power, by taxation or otherwise, to retard, impede, burden or in any manner control the operations of the constitutional laws enacted by…

— John Marshall

The laws of Congress are restricted to a certain sphere, and when they depart from this sphere, they are no longer supreme or binding.

— Alexander Hamilton

[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void…

— Thomas Jefferson

“There is no limit of degradation to which power cannot bring anyone even with the loftiest principles. We would hope that being unprepared for…

— Albert Meltzer

The Congress is virtually incapable of passing any reforms unless they first get permission from the powerful special interests who are most affected by…

— Al Gore

There are limits to power, as those who put their hopes in a constitution always discover.

— Frank Herbert

Self-imposed limits on sovereign power can disarm mistrust, but provide no guarantee of liberty and property beyond those afforded by the balance between state…

— Anthony de Jasay

The construction applied . . . to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power . . .…

— Thomas Jefferson

The powers of Congress are totally inadequate to preserve the balance between the respective States, and oblige them to do those things which are…

— Henry Knox

No law can give Congress a backbone if it refuses to stand off as the coequal branch the Constitution made it.

— Trey Gowdy