--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On every question of construction (of the…" description: "\"On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/thomas-jefferson-43_adopted_on-every-question-of-construction-of-the_1198977.jpg" --- # On every question of construction (of the Constitution)… ![“On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit of the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/thomas-jefferson-43_adopted_on-every-question-of-construction-of-the_1198977.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/thomas-jefferson-43_adopted_on-every-question-of-construction-of-the_1198977.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/34c/thomas-jefferson-43_adopted_on-every-question-of-construction-of-the_1198977.jpg) > “On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit of the debates, and instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.” [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. Understanding the Constitution requires seeing it in its historical context, not extracting modern meanings or imposing new ideas. **In simple terms:** Interpret the Constitution as its framers intended. Key Takeaway Respect original intent. Themes history law interpretation Mood reflective serious Type historical legal When to use this quote - legal analysis - educational curricula - public policy debates - citizen education Key Concepts constitutionalism originalism political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How would the framers address today's challenges? - Can original intent coexist with evolving norms? A Different Perspective Modern reinterpretations may overlook contemporary needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adopted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adopted/) [Conform](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conform/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Constitution Adopted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-adopted-2249504/) [Constitution Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution-let-3536835/) [Construction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/construction/) [Construction Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/construction-constitution-869836/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Debates Instead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debates-instead-3587399/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Question Construction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/question-construction-3587398/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [My construction of the constitution is very different from that you quote. It is that each department is truly independent of the others, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-construction-of-the-constitution-is-very-different-from-that-you/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-peculiar-security-is-in-the-possession-of-a-written-constitution/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If the Constitution is adopted (and it was) the Union will be in fact and in theory an association of States or a Confederacy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/if-the-constitution-is-adopted-and-it-was-the-union-will-be-in-fact/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [Emergency does not increase granted power or remove or diminish the restrictions imposed upon power granted or reserved. The Constitution was adopted in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-evans-hughes/emergency-does-not-increase-granted-power-or-remove-or-diminish-the/) [Charles Evans Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-evans-hughes/) > [I will never forget that it is the people who speak directly through the constitution they have adopted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-t-canady/i-will-never-forget-that-it-is-the-people-who-speak-directly-through/) [Charles T. Canady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-t-canady/) > [We have to have a good look at the Constitution. Let's determine where the shortcomings are. Then we can start talking of clauses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyril-ramaphosa/we-have-to-have-a-good-look-at-the-constitution-let-s-determine-where/) [Cyril Ramaphosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyril-ramaphosa/) > [When we live up to our Constitution, let's form a Conga line around the Capitol and bungee jump off the dome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/when-we-live-up-to-our-constitution-let-s-form-a-conga-line-around/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [Give the church a place in the Constitution, let her touch once more the sword of power, and the priceless fruit of all ages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/give-the-church-a-place-in-the-constitution-let-her-touch-once-more/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [“But in writing your constitution let me invite attention the wonderful virtues of the negative! Accentuate the negative! Let your document be studded with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/but-in-writing-your-constitution-let-me-invite-attention-the/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Study the Constitution. Let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislatures, and enforced in courts of justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/study-the-constitution-let-it-be-preached-from-the-pulpit-proclaimed/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Born in other countries, yet believing you could be happy in this, our laws acknowledge, as they should do, your right to join us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/born-in-other-countries-yet-believing-you-could-be-happy-in-this-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [No man complains of his neighbor for ill management of his affairs, for an error in sowing his land, or marrying his daughter, for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/no-man-complains-of-his-neighbor-for-ill-management-of-his-affairs/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If the measures which have been pursued are approved by the majority, it is the duty of the minority to acquiesce and conform.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-the-measures-which-have-been-pursued-are-approved-by-the-majority/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) ## 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 Adopted quotes > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. 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Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [A son or daughter in any human family is either born to or adopted by the parents. By definition, a child can't be both.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/a-son-or-daughter-in-any-human-family-is-either-born-to-or-adopted-by/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [. . . by natural selection our mind has adapted itself to the conditions of the external world. It has adopted the geometry most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-poincare/by-natural-selection-our-mind-has-adapted-itself-to-the-conditions-of/) [Henri Poincare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-poincare/) > [I was adopted my black Americans, I feel that I'm a 'Hybrid'. When I'm around Africans'I suddenly feel very black American. 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