The ultimate touchstone of constitutionality is the Constitution itself and not what we have said about it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The Constitution itself is the ultimate test of constitutionality, not interpretations.
- In plain terms
- The Constitution is the final judge of its own validity.
- What can you take from it?
- Rely on the text, not opinions, to assess legality.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should interpretation guide decisions?
- How to reconcile text with contemporary values?
Another view
Interpretations can be necessary to apply the text to modern issues.
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