--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I consider the foundation of the…" description: "\"I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor proh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg" --- # I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on… ![“I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg) > “I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power not longer susceptible of any definition.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Constitution reserves powers not given to the federal government to states and people, limiting federal authority. **In simple terms:** Unassigned powers stay with states and people. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect state sovereignty. Themes federalism states rights constitutional limits Mood thoughtful analytical Type political historical When to use this quote - policy making - legal analysis - educational curriculum - citizen activism Key Concepts separation of powers reserved powers Questions to Reflect On - How should modern issues be handled under reserved powers? - What are the risks of expanding federal authority? 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This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-the-government-of-the-united-states-as-interdicted-by-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[An\] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/an-act-of-the-congress-of-the-united-states-which-assumes-powers-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to itself; since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-government-created-by-this-compact-was-not-made-the-exclusive-or/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ The issuing power \[of money\] should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-issuing-power-of-money-should-be-taken-from-the-banks-and/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-all-government-in-little-as-in-great-things-shall-be-drawn-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/take-not-from-the-mouth-of-labor-the-bread-it-has-earned/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-once-a-republic-is-corrupted-there-is-no-possibility-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[T\]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/t-he-opinion-which-gives-to-the-judges-the-right-to-decide-what-laws/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-opposed-to-any-form-of-tyranny-over-the-mind-of-man/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“In 1967, almost 100 years later, the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Loving v Virginia that the Constitution prohibited state laws against interracial marriage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-denning/in-1967-almost-100-years-later-the-us-supreme-court-unanimously-ruled/) [Susan Denning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-denning/) > [The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-powers-delegated-by-the-proposed-constitution-to-the-federal-2/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/the-powers-delegated-by-the-proposed-constitution-to-the-federal/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More American government quotes > [“For the same reason , the American government has invented a completely new juridical category , that of 'illegal enemy combatants'. 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It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nnedi-okorafor/are-they-a-secret-part-of-the-american-government-or-a-powerful/) [Nnedi Okorafor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nnedi-okorafor/) > [“When we examine, not the language of the propaganda, but the witness of the combatants themselves, religion does not occupy the first place. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tzvetan-todorov/when-we-examine-not-the-language-of-the-propaganda-but-the-witness-of/) [Tzvetan Todorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tzvetan-todorov/) > [I'm an American. 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The Whiskey Rebellion had been suppressed, the country's finances…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-chernow/whatever-his-disappointments-hamilton-forty-must-have-left/) [Ron Chernow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-chernow/) > [“American breweries preexisted American government; some of the breweries’ staunchest supporters were also the leaders of the new nation. In colonial America, the alehouse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marty-nachel/american-breweries-preexisted-american-government-some-of-the/) Marty Nachel > [I know these days it sounds a little odd, but American governments are very fearful of European reaction. 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