Thomas Jefferson Quotes

The example of changing a constitution by assembling the wise men of the State instead of assembling armies will be worth as much to the world as the former examples we had given them

Constitutional reform is exasperatingly slow.

The functionaries of public power rarely strengthen in their dispositions to abridge it, and an unorganized call for timely amendment is not likely to prevail against an organized opposition to it

Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. They ascribe to the men of the preceding age a wisdom more than human and suppose what they did to be beyond amendment. I knew that age well; I belonged to it and labored with it.

Is there a man who will say that the Constitution wants no reform? Will any man be found to say that the Constitution is perfect?

A changeless constitution becomes the protector not only of vested rights but of vested wrongs.

A constitution … is good for a certain people and for a certain time. It shouldn’t be mummified.

[There] is an easy and peaceable way of amending any parts of the Constitution which may be found inconvenient in practice.

It will give satisfaction to the people; and be a happy means, under providence, of preventing popular commotions, mobs, bloodshed and civil war.

The Constitution will be reformed in accordance with our revolution.

That is why I came to conclusion that the election must take place, so that the republic can have a government. If I were to say that everything will change for the better immediately, that would not be true. The struggle will continue for a long time.

I cannot agree to destroy the harmonious working of the Constitution for the sake of getting rid of an Unacceptable President.

A permanent constitution must be the work of quiet, leisure, much inquiry, and great deliberation.

The more complicated you make a Constitutional amendment …, the more contingencies for which you provide, the more difficult it is to get it passed.

There is no probability that a vote of two thirds can be commanded for any amendment of the Constitution touching slavery …

The Constitutional Convention is the only vehicle through which we can get a clear-cut and unequivocal decision of the people.

The path to an amendment to the Constitution is a thorny one.

I deny that the power of amendment [of the Constitution] carries the power of revolution.

If the people desire changes in the highest judicial tribunal in the land, the people can speak with their power to amend their own Constitution.

I get nervous every time we start tinkering with the Constitution.

… to rectify the errors that will creep in through lapse of time, or alteration of situation.

Our fundamental instrument of government [the Constitution] is an evolving document.

Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are watchful may again rally and recall the people. They fix, too, for the people the principles of their political creed.

Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence and deem them, like the arc of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.

Frequent appeals to the people [to amend the Constitution] would in great measure deprive the government of that veneration which time bestows on everything.