--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our tenet ever was . . . that Congress…" description: "\"Our tenet ever was . . . that Congress had not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but were restrained to those specifically enumerate..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/thomas-jefferson-43_action_our-tenet-ever-was-that-congress-had-not_1760397.jpg" --- # Our tenet ever was . . . that Congress had not unlimited… ![“Our tenet ever was . . . that Congress had not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but were restrained to those specifically enumerated; and that, as it was never meant that they should provide for that welfare but by the exercise of the enumerated powers, so it could not have…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/thomas-jefferson-43_action_our-tenet-ever-was-that-congress-had-not_1760397.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/thomas-jefferson-43_action_our-tenet-ever-was-that-congress-had-not_1760397.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/899/thomas-jefferson-43_action_our-tenet-ever-was-that-congress-had-not_1760397.jpg) > “Our tenet ever was . . . that Congress had not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but were restrained to those specifically enumerated; and that, as it was never meant that they should provide for that welfare but by the exercise of the enumerated powers, so it could not have been meant they should raise money for purposes which the enumeration did not place under their action.” [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. Jefferson argued Congress should only act within powers explicitly listed, not to fund general welfare beyond those limits. **In simple terms:** Congress limited to enumerated powers, not broad welfare spending. Key Takeaway Uphold constitutional limits on government spending. Themes government law federalism budget constitution Mood analytical historical Type political legal When to use this quote - legislative drafting - budget hearings - public policy debates Key Concepts constitutional law political theory fiscal policy Questions to Reflect On - What defines "general welfare"? - Should Congress have flexibility in funding? A Different Perspective Interpretations of "general welfare" have varied, allowing broader spending. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Congress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/congress/) [Exercise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise/) [General welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/general-welfare/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Unlimited power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlimited-power/) [Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare/) ## Related quotes > [Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/congress-has-not-unlimited-powers-to-provide-for-the-general-welfare/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical...A wise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-compel-a-man-to-furnish-contributions-of-money-for-the-propagation-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Thomas Jefferson explained, Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated. .. If Congress can determine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-drayton/thomas-jefferson-explained-congress-has-not-unlimited-powers-to/) [Bill Drayton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-drayton/) > [We start with first principles. The Constitution creates a Federal Government of enumerated powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rehnquist/we-start-with-first-principles-the-constitution-creates-a-federal/) [William Rehnquist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rehnquist/) > [The power to tax and spend is restricted by the enumerated powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/the-power-to-tax-and-spend-is-restricted-by-the-enumerated-powers/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [This government is acknowledged by all, to be one of enumerated powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-marshall/this-government-is-acknowledged-by-all-to-be-one-of-enumerated-powers/) [John Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-marshall/) > [The federal government is acknowledged by all to be one of enumerated powers. The principle, that it can exercise only the powers granted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-marshall/the-federal-government-is-acknowledged-by-all-to-be-one-of-enumerated/) [John Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-marshall/) > [The construction applied . . . to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-construction-applied-to-those-parts-of-the-constitution-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The greatest calamity which could befall us would be submission to a government of unlimited powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-greatest-calamity-which-could-befall-us-would-be-submission-to-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [To lay taxes to provide for the general welfare of the United States, that is to say, 'to lay taxes for the purpose of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-lay-taxes-to-provide-for-the-general-welfare-of-the-united-states/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-would-reduce-the-whole-instrument-to-a-single-phrase-that-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-take-a-single-step-beyond-the-boundaries-specially-drawn-around/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constitution-as-laid-on-this-ground/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-pitt-1st-earl-of-chatham/unlimited-power-is-apt-to-corrupt-the-minds-of-those-who-possess-it/) [William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-pitt-1st-earl-of-chatham/) > [I believe in the unlimited power of women in the context of science and engineering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-holmes/i-believe-in-the-unlimited-power-of-women-in-the-context-of-science/) [Elizabeth Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-holmes/) ## 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 Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. 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