--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Constitution is the origin and…" description: "\"The Constitution is the origin and measure of legislative authority. It says to legislators, thus far ye shall go and no farther. Not a particle of it ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/william-paterson-60209_authority_the-constitution-is-the-origin-and-measu_1597209.png" --- # The Constitution is the origin and measure of legislative… ![“The Constitution is the origin and measure of legislative authority. It says to legislators, thus far ye shall go and no farther. Not a particle of it should be shaken; not a pebble of it should be removed.” quote by William Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/william-paterson-60209_authority_the-constitution-is-the-origin-and-measu_1597209.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/william-paterson-60209_authority_the-constitution-is-the-origin-and-measu_1597209.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/william-paterson-60209_authority_the-constitution-is-the-origin-and-measu_1597209.png) > “The Constitution is the origin and measure of legislative authority. It says to legislators, thus far ye shall go and no farther. Not a particle of it should be shaken; not a pebble of it should be removed.” [William Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-paterson/) ## 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 sets firm limits on legislative power, insisting no part be altered or removed, preserving its authority. **In simple terms:** The Constitution limits lawmakers strictly. Key Takeaway Respect constitutional boundaries. Themes law authority limits Mood formal serious Type historical political When to use this quote - legislative debates - court rulings - policy making Key Concepts constitutional law separation of powers legal stability Questions to Reflect On - Should the Constitution be amended often? - How do limits protect democracy? A Different Perspective Rigidity may hinder needed reforms. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Legislation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislation/) [Legislators](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/legislators/) [Particles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/particles/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) ## Related quotes > [The idea of restraining the legislative authority, in the means of providing for the national defense, is one of those refinements which owe their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-idea-of-restraining-the-legislative-authority-in-the-means-of/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [It is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/it-is-of-the-nature-of-war-to-increase-the-executive-at-the-expense/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The power of the legislative being derived from the people by a positive voluntary grant and institution, can be no other than what that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/the-power-of-the-legislative-being-derived-from-the-people-by-a/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“The late political scientist Aaron B. 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