We are under a Constitution, but the Constitution is what the judges say it is, and the judiciary is the read more

We are under a Constitution, but the Constitution is what the judges say it is, and the judiciary is the safeguard of our liberty and of our property under the Constitution.

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people read more

The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the Judiciary, which they may read more

The constitution, on this hypothesis, is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the Judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form they please.

From Watergate we learned what generations before us have known; our Constitution works. And during Watergate years it was interpreted read more

From Watergate we learned what generations before us have known; our Constitution works. And during Watergate years it was interpreted again so as to reaffirm that no one - absolutely no one - is above the law.

A Constitution should be short and obscure

A Constitution should be short and obscure

Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be read more

Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief read more

In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.

I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am read more

I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. 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.