--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is important to strengthen the State…" description: "\"It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_it-is-important-to-strengthen-the-state_2560377.jpg" --- # It is important to strengthen the State governments; and… ![“It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that is all we need contend for), it must be done by the States themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_it-is-important-to-strengthen-the-state_2560377.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_it-is-important-to-strengthen-the-state_2560377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0d2/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_it-is-important-to-strengthen-the-state_2560377.jpg) > “It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that is all we need contend for), it must be done by the States themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted either by themselves or by the General Government. The only barrier in their power is a wise government. A weak one will lose ground in every contest.” [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. Strong state governments are essential; they must protect themselves with wise leadership, not rely on federal changes. **In simple terms:** States need wise leadership to stay strong. Key Takeaway Cultivate wise state leadership. Themes government state power leadership federalism political theory Mood thoughtful serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - legislative reform - state policy design - public administration - intergovernmental relations Key Concepts constitutional law political philosophy state sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - How can states foster wise leadership? - What barriers can states build against federal overreach? A Different Perspective Weak leadership can undermine state strength despite structural barriers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Barriers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservation/) [State government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-government/) [State governments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-governments/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [ To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is \[one of the\] functions of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-draw-around-the-whole-nation-the-strength-of-the-general/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It may safely be received as an axiom in our political system, that the state governments will in all possible contingencies afford complete security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-may-safely-be-received-as-an-axiom-in-our-political-system-that/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [There are lots of other things that affect state growth besides state taxes. However, the reason I look at taxes is because these are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-laffer/there-are-lots-of-other-things-that-affect-state-growth-besides-state/) [Arthur Laffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-laffer/) > [We are changing the way we govern ourselves - not just in the way we work in New Delhi, but also in the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/we-are-changing-the-way-we-govern-ourselves-not-just-in-the-way-we/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Government is best which is closest to the people. Yet that belief is betrayed by those State and local officials who engage in denying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/government-is-best-which-is-closest-to-the-people-yet-that-belief-is/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [In the next place, the state governments are, by the very theory of the constitution, essential constituent parts of the general government. They can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/in-the-next-place-the-state-governments-are-by-the-very-theory-of-the/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Many state governments have launched innovative steps such as Ladli Laxmi scheme of Madhya Pradesh, PDS reform scheme of Chattisgarh, computerization of land records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/many-state-governments-have-launched-innovative-steps-such-as-ladli/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [This balance between the National and State governments ought to be dwelt on with peculiar attention, as it is of the utmost importance. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/this-balance-between-the-national-and-state-governments-ought-to-be/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [There is one transcendant advantage belonging to the province of the State governments . . . -I mean the ordinary administration of criminal and civil justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-is-one-transcendant-advantage-belonging-to-the-province-of-the/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [But ambitious encroachments of the federal government, on the authority of the State governments, would not excite the opposition of a single State, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/but-ambitious-encroachments-of-the-federal-government-on-the/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [The state governments have a full superintendence and control over the immense mass of local interests of their respective states, which connect themselves with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/the-state-governments-have-a-full-superintendence-and-control-over/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [The State governments possess inherent advantages, which will ever give them an influence and ascendancy over the National Government, and will for ever preclude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-state-governments-possess-inherent-advantages-which-will-ever/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [State governments seek local remedies for the globally fabricated deprivations and miseries in vain - just as the individuals-by-the-decree-of-fate (read: by the impact of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/state-governments-seek-local-remedies-for-the-globally-fabricated/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [To make us one nation as to foreign concerns, and keep us distinct in Domestic ones gives the outline of the proper division of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-make-us-one-nation-as-to-foreign-concerns-and-keep-us-distinct-in/) [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/) ## 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 Barriers quotes > [Your aunt and uncle will be proud, though, won't they?" said Hermione as they got off the train and joined the crowd thronging toward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-aunt-and-uncle-will-be-proud-though-won-t-they-said-hermione-as/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The gear you can't afford is not the barrier keeping you from success. Gear has very little to do with photography.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chase-jarvis/the-gear-you-can-t-afford-is-not-the-barrier-keeping-you-from-success/) [Chase Jarvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chase-jarvis/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [The "health, education, and welfare" section of government is another boondoggle. First we manufacture indigent and superfluous people by legal monopolies in land, money…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurance-labadie/the-health-education-and-welfare-section-of-government-is-another/) [Laurance Labadie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurance-labadie/) > [Security is a component of everyday life that one spending time in Washington, D.C., gets accustomed to. Metal detectors, police vehicle barriers and heavily-armed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-crapo/security-is-a-component-of-everyday-life-that-one-spending-time-in/) [Mike Crapo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-crapo/) > [The biggest obstacles to our progress exist within our own lives in the form of cowardice and the tendency to give up. Breaking through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/the-biggest-obstacles-to-our-progress-exist-within-our-own-lives-in/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [I feel that there are a few things in the world without cultural barriers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-chan/i-feel-that-there-are-a-few-things-in-the-world-without-cultural/) [Jackie Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-chan/) > [English literature is a glorious inheritance which is open to all - there are no barriers, no coupons, and no restrictions. In the English…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/english-literature-is-a-glorious-inheritance-which-is-open-to-all/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Friendship embraces innumerable ends; turn where you will it is ever at your side; no barrier shuts it out; it is never untimely and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/friendship-embraces-innumerable-ends-turn-where-you-will-it-is-ever/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [I've cosponsored legislation to establish a lend-lease program to simplify bureaucratic barriers and allow a speedier transfer of U.S. military equipment to Ukraine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-waltz/i-ve-cosponsored-legislation-to-establish-a-lend-lease-program-to/) [Michael Waltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-waltz/) > [Don't be afraid of what you want. This is your time. The barriers are down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-freeman/don-t-be-afraid-of-what-you-want-this-is-your-time-the-barriers-are/) [Morgan Freeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-freeman/) > [Fear is the single biggest barrier to creativity. Unless we're brave enough to risk looking foolish, we'll inevitably find ourselves sticking to the status…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-linkner/fear-is-the-single-biggest-barrier-to-creativity-unless-we-re-brave/) [Josh Linkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-linkner/) > [He looked at my lips. I suddenly found myself wanting to lick his. 'Yes,' he replied, his eyes going molten. My breath caught in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-macalister/he-looked-at-my-lips-i-suddenly-found-myself-wanting-to-lick-his-yes/) [Katie MacAlister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-macalister/) > [What do you have to surrender? A drop has to dissolve into the ocean to become the ocean. 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Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-w-johnson/) [Browse all 1,191 Barriers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/barriers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that is all we need contend for), it must be done by the States themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted either by themselves or by the General Government. The only barrier in their power is a wise government. 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