George Washington Quotes About Constitution

Quotes about: Constitution

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  The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.

  George Washington

  4th Of July, America, Liberty

  George Washington, Stephen Lucas (1999). “The Quotable George Washington: The Wisdom of an American Patriot”, p.97, Rowman & Littlefield

• If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates. But let there be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.

  George Washington

  Gun, Government, People

  George Washington, John Jay, Jared Sparks (1850). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States of America”, p.33, New York : J. Wiley

• The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.

  George Washington

  Travel, War, 4th Of July

  George Washington (1836). “The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts; with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.367

• Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself.

  George Washington

  Gun, Fake, Second Amendment

• The power under the Constitution will always be in the people. It is entrusted for certain defined purposes, and for a certain limited period, to representatives of their own choosing; and whenever it is executed contrary to their interest, or not agreeable to their wishes, their servants can, and undoubtedly will, be recalled.

  George Washington

  People, Wish, Purpose

• I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is always the best policy.

  George Washington

  Honesty, Constitution, Affair

  George Washington (1810). “Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States”, p.16

• The basis of our political system is the right of the people to make and to alter their constitutions of government.

  George Washington

  Inspiration, 4th Of July, Patriotic

  Farewell Address, Philadelphia, Pa., 19 Sept. 1796

• Precedents are dangerous things; let the reins of government then be braced and held with a steady hand, and every violation of the Constitution be reprehended: If defective let it be amended, but not suffered to be trampled upon whilst it has an existence.

  George Washington

  Government, Hands, Constitution

  George Washington (1852). “The life of General Washington: first president of the United States”, p.142

• The power under the Constitution will always be in the people.

  George Washington

  People, Constitution

  George Washington (1855). “Maxims of Washington: Political, Social, Moral, and Religious”, p.74

• If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the Constitution framed in the Convention where I had the honor to preside might possibly endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical society, certainly I would never have placed my signature to it.

  George Washington

  Religious, Rights, Honor

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1848). “pt. V. Speeches and messages to Congress, proclamations, and addresses”, p.155

• The Constitution that we have is an excellent one, if we can keep it where it is.

  George Washington

  Constitution, Excellent, Ifs

• It will at least be a recommendation to the proposed constitution that it is provided with more checks and barriers against the introduction of tyranny, and those of a nature less liable to be surmounted, than any government hitherto instituted among mortals hath possessed.

  George Washington

  Government, Constitution, Checks

  George Washington (1997). “Writings”

• Our Constitution gives to bigotry no sanction.

  George Washington

  Giving, Constitution, Sanctions

• [The adoption of the Constitution] will demonstrate as visibly the finger of Providence as any possible event in the course of human affairs can ever designate it.

  George Washington

  Adoption, Events, Constitution

  Jay A. Parry, Andrew M. Allison, George Washington (1991). “The real George Washington”, Natl Center for Constitutional

• To every description of citizens, let praise be given. but let them persevere in their affectionate vigilance over that precious depository of American happiness, the Constitution of the United States. Let them cherish it, too, for the sake of those who, from every clime, are daily seeking a dwelling in our land.

  George Washington

  Land, Dwelling, United States

  United States. President, George Washington, United States (1825). “The speeches, addresses and messages, of the several presidents of the United States, at the openings of Congress and at their respective inaugurations: Also, the Declaration of independence, the Constitution of the United States, and Washington's farewell address to his fellow-citizens”, p.73

• Should the States reject this excellent Constitution, the probability is, an opportunity will never again offer to cancel another in peacethe next will be drawn in blood.

  George Washington

  Peace, Opportunity, Blood

  Attributed to George Washington in the Pennsylvania Journal and Weekly Advertiser (p. 3, column 1), November 14, 1787.

• The tribute that is due to the talents, the rectitude, and the patriotism which adorn the characters selected to devise and adopt them. In these honorable qualifications, I behold the surest pledges, that as on one side, no local prejudices, or attachments; no seperate views, nor party animosities, will misdirect the comprehensive and equal eye which ought to watch over this great assemblage of communities and interests: so, on another, that the foundations of our National policy will be laid in the pure and immutable principles of private morality...

  George Washington

  Party, Character, Eye

  George Washington's Inaugural Address, www.archives.gov. April 30, 1789.

• The situation of the general government, if it can be called a government, is shaken to its foundation, and liable to be overturned by every blast.

  George Washington

  Government, Foundation, Constitution

  George Washington (1858). “The Writings: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts : with a Life of the Author, Notes and Illustrations”, p.257

• The fundamental principle of our constitution ... enjoins the sense of command, duty that the will of the majority shall prevail.

  George Washington

  Majority, Principles, Fundamentals

• [T]he foundation of a great Empire is laid, and I please myself with a persuasion, that Providence will not leave its work imperfect.

  George Washington

  Foundation, Empires, Constitution

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1847). “pt. III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789”, p.184

• Upon the whole I doubt whether the Benefits of opposition to the Constitution opposition to the Constitution will not ultimately be productive of more good than evil; it has called forth, in its defence, abilities which would not perhaps have been otherwise exerted that have thrown a new light upon the science of government, It has given the rights of man a full and fair discussion, and explained them in so clear and forcible a manner, as cannot fail to make a lasting impression.

  George Washington

  Men, Rights, Light

• To the security of a free Constitution it [knowledge] contributes in various ways: by teaching the people themselves to know and to value their own rights, to discern and provide against invasions of them, to distinguish between oppression and the necessary exercise of lawful authority, between burdens proceeding from a disregard to their convenience and those resulting from the inevitable exigencies of society.

  George Washington

  Teaching, Exercise, Rights

• [M]y wish is, that the Convention may adopt no temporizing expedient, but probe the defects of the Constitution [i.e., the Articles of Confederation] to the bottom, and provide radical cures.

  George Washington

  Wish, May, Constitution

• I wish the constitution, which is offered, had been made more perfect; but I sincerely believe it is the best that could be obtained at this time. And, as a constitutional door is opened for amendment hereafter, the adoption of it, under the present circumstances of the Union, is in my opinion desirable.

  George Washington

  Believe, Doors, Perfect

  George Washington, Jared Sparks (1847). “The Writings of George Washington: pt. III. Private letters from the time Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Army to that of his inauguration as president of the United States: December, 1783-April, 1789”, p.266

• Even the country's first president chafed at the limits placed on him by the writers of the U.S. Constitution. From the nature of the Constitution, ... I must approve all the parts of a bill, or reject it in toto.

  George Washington

  Country, President, Bills

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