Quote #24

I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground: That 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, no longer susceptible of any definition. The incorporation of a bank, and the powers assumed by this bill, have not, in my opinion, been delegated to the United States, by the Constitution... They are not among the powers specially enumerated...

More from Thomas Jefferson

  1. We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed.
  2. I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty, than those attending too small a degree of it.
  3. The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.
  4. Let what will be said or done, preserve your sang-froid immovably, and to every obstacle, oppose patience, perseverance, and soothing langu…
  5. I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in …
  6. Delay is preferable to error.
  7. Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract t…
  8. We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it.

All Thomas Jefferson quotes