Benjamin Franklin Quotes About Constitution
-
History will also give occasion to expatiate on the advantage of civil orders and constitutions; how men and their properties are protected by joining in societies and establishing government; their industry encouraged and rewarded, arts invented, and life made more comfortable; the advantages of liberty, mischiefs of licentiousness, benefits arising from good laws and a due execution of justice. Thus may the first principles of sound politics be fixed in the minds of youth.
→ -
For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change opinions, even on important subjects, which I once thought right but found to be otherwise.
→ -
The U. S. Constitution doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself.
→ -
The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
→ -
Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics and limited monarchies derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.
→ -
In these sentiments, sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.
→ -
I consent Sir, to this Constitution because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.
→ -
Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
→ -
Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in the world nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.
→ -
I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.
→ -
I have so much faith in the general government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a transaction of such momentous importance [as the framing of the Constitution] ... should be suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent Ruler in whom all inferior spirits live and move and have their being.
→ -
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
→ -
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
→ -
The US Constitution only guarantees your rights as a citizen, it doesn't guarantee happiness. It may take work, but if you have your rights, happiness is very possible.
→ -
This [the U.S. Constitution] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.
→
Benjamin Franklin
- Born: January 17, 1706
- Died: April 17, 1790
- Occupation: Founding Father of the United States
Related Authors
-
Alexander Graham Bell Scientist -
Alexander Hamilton Founding Father of the United States -
Charles-Augustin de Coulomb Physicist -
Roger Sherman United States Representative -
Albert Einstein Theoretical Physicist -
George III Monarch -
Nikola Tesla Inventor -
Alessandro Volta Physicist -
Jonathan Edwards Preacher -
John Locke Philosopher -
Thomas Jefferson 3rd U.S. President -
George Washington 1st U.S. President -
Isaac Newton Physicist -
James Madison 4th U.S. President -
Patrick Henry Governor of Virginia -
Abraham Lincoln 16th U.S. President -
Samuel Adams Founding Father of the United States -
John Adams 2nd U.S. President -
Thomas A. Edison Inventor -
Thomas Paine Author