Bill Of Rights Quotes:

If I were elected President, the first thing I would do would be to set up a Department of Restoring the Bill of Rights. I would have 10,000 people working there.

- Sara Paretsky

source: Source: progressive.org

topic: People, President, Bill Of Rights

In recent years it has been suggested that the Second Amendment protects the "collective" right of states to maintain militias, while it does not protect the right of "the people" to keep and bear arms. If anyone entertained this notion in the period during which the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were debated and ratified, it remains one of the most closely guarded secrets of the eighteenth century, for no known writing surviving from the period between 1787 and 1791 states such a thesis.

- Stephen Halbrook

source: "That Every Man Be Armed: The Evolution of a Constitutional Right". Book by Stephen Halbrook, 1984.

topic: Writing, Gun, Rights, Thesis, Guarded

A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: Patriotic, Rights, Government, Individual Rights, Central Government

The Bill of Rights isn't about us, it's about them . It isn't a list of things we're permitted to do, it's a list of things they aren't allowed even to consider.

- L. Neil Smith

source: "To Hell With Public Schools". The Libertarian Enterprise Article, www.ncc-1776.org. May 13, 2012.

topic: Rights, Bills, Lists, Bill Of Rights

The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to 'create' rights. Rather, they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting.

- William J. Brennan

topic: Freedom, Rights, Government, Framers, Fundamental Rights

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.

- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

topic: Inspiring, Women, Equality, Social Equality, Social Groups

The Bill of Rights does not come from the people and is not subject to change by majorities. It comes from the nature of things. It declares the inalienable rights of man not only against all government but also against the people collectively.

- Walter Lippmann

topic: Men, Rights, People, Bill Of Rights

The Bill of Rights is a born rebel. It reeks with sedition. In every clause it shakes its fist in the face of constituted authority... It is the one guarantee of human freedom to the American people.

- Frank I. Cobb

source: La Follette's Weekly Magazine, 1920.

topic: Freedom, Rights, People, Clauses, Bill Of Rights

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

- Thomas Jefferson

source: Declaration of Independence (1776).

topic: Life, Change, Happiness, Social Equality, Inaugural Speech

We have the Bill of Rights. What we need is a Bill of Responsibilities.

- Bill Maher

topic: Funny, Responsibility, Rights, Great Responsibility, Rights And Responsibilities

The civil rights of none, shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, or on any pretext infringed.

- James Madison

topic: Religious, Rights, Liberty, Religious Belief, First Amendment Rights

A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

- James Madison

source: James Madison, Gaillard Hunt, James Brown Scott (1999). “The Debates in the Federal Convention of 1787: Which Framed the Constitution of the United States of America”, p.690, The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd.

topic: Gun, Libertarian Party, Assault Weapons, Fifth Amendment, Militia

The whole of the Bill [of Rights] is a declaration of the right of the people at large or considered as individuals... It establishes some rights of the individual as unalienable and which consequently, no majority has a right to deprive them of.

- Albert Gallatin

topic: Rights, People, Majority, Individual Liberty, Individual Rights

We should be teaching our children the scientific method and the reasons for a Bill of Rights. With it comes a certain decency, humility and community spirit.

- Carl Sagan

topic: Atheist, Children, Teaching, Community Spirit, Bill Of Rights

Take not from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: Bread, Mouths, Labor, Inaugural, Inaugural Address

So long as we govern our nation by the letter and spirit of the Bill of Rights, we can be sure that our nation will grow in strength and wisdom and freedom.

- Dwight D. Eisenhower

topic: Rights, Long, Letters, Strength And Wisdom, Bill Of Rights

Potentially, a government is the most dangerous threat to man's rights: it holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force against legally disarmed victims.

- Ayn Rand

topic: Men, Rights, Use, Individual Rights, Physical Force

The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.

- James Madison

topic: Government, Federal Government, Constitution, Secession, Too Much Power

The belief in potential human virtue underlies the whole idea of the Bill of Rights; the document is a very tough guardian of that belief.

- Roger Rosenblatt

topic: Bill Of Rights

An elective despotism was not the government we fought for.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: 4th Of July, Government, Despotism, Individual Liberty, Individual Power

Let us hope our weapons are never needed -but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government - and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws.

- Edward Abbey

topic: Military, Gun, Rights, Bearing Arms, Armed Citizens

Can any of you seriously say the Bill of Rights could get through Congress today? It wouldn't even get out of committee.

- F. Lee Bailey

source: "Newsweek" Magazine, April 17, 1967.

topic: Rights, Political, Liberty, Bill Of Rights

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries. These libraries should be open to all—except the censor. We must know all the facts and hear all the alternatives and listen to all the criticisms. Let us welcome controversial books and controversial authors. For the Bill of Rights is the guardian of our security as well as our liberty.

- John F. Kennedy

topic: Wise, Strong, Book, Libraries And Librarians, Questionnaires

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 not longer susceptible of any definition.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: People, United States, Definitions, States Rights, Federalism

The truth is, after all the declamations we have heard, that the Constitution is itself, in every rational sense, and to every useful purpose, A BILL OF RIGHTS.

- Alexander Hamilton

topic: Rights, Purpose, Bills, Declamation, Bill Of Rights

Old or young, healthy as a horse or a person with a disability that hasn't kept you down, man or woman, Native American, native born, immigrant, straight or gay - whatever; the test ought to be I believe in the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence. I believe in religious liberty. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in working hard and playing by the rules. I'm showing up for work tomorrow. I'm building that bridge to the 21st century. That ought to be the test.

- William J. Clinton

source: Clinton, William J. (1997). “Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton, 1995”, p.1417, Best Books on

topic: Religious, Horse, Believe, 21st Century, Declaration Of Independence

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: Being Strong, Nature, Character, Mind Games, Mind And Body

No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people, but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality and virtue.

- George Mason

topic: Freedom, Blessing, Government, Frugality, Good Citizen

Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

topic: Winning, Men, Long, Rights And Freedoms, Bill Of Rights

Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretence, raised in the United States.

- Noah Webster

source: Noah Webster (1787). “An Examination Into the Leading Principles of the Federal Constitution Proposed by the Late Convention Held at Philadelphia: With Answers to the Principal Objections that Have Been Raised Against the System”, p.43

topic: Army, Europe, Law, Handguns, Pretense

Government is instituted to protect property of every sort; as well that which lies in the various rights of individuals, as that which the term particularly expresses. This being the end of government, that alone is a just government which impartially secures to every man whatever is his own.

- James Madison

topic: Lying, Men, Rights, Constitutional Rights, Bill Of Rights

If this nation is to be wise as well as strong, if we are to achieve our destiny, then we need more new ideas for more wise men reading more good books in more public libraries.

- John F. Kennedy

topic: Wise, Strong, Book, Libraries And Librarians, Library Books

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. - Second Amendment to the Constitution An armed society is a polite society.

- Robert A. Heinlein

topic: People, Second Amendment, Liberty, Fifth Amendment, Militia

Because we hold it for 'a fundamental and undeniable truth', that religion or 'the duty which we owe to our Creator' and the manner of discharging it, can be directed only by reason and conviction, not by force or violence.

- James Madison

source: James Madison (1787). “The Writings of James Madison: 1783-1787”, p.184

topic: Religion, Religious Truth, Fundamentals, Forbearance, Christian Freedom

Government holds a legal monopoly on the use of physical force.

- Ayn Rand

source: Ayn Rand (1988). “The Ayn Rand Lexicon: Objectivism from A to Z”, p.204, Penguin

topic: Government, Use, Monopoly, Physical Force, Physical Attraction

A strong body makes the mind strong.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: Strong, Exercise, Mind, Mind Games, Mind And Body

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

- James Madison

source: Virginia. General Assembly. House of Delegates, J. W. Randolph, James Madison (1850). “The Virginia Report of 1799-1800: Touching the Alien and Sedition Laws; Together with the Virginia Resolutions of December 21, 1798, Including the Debate and Proceedings Thereon in the House of Delegates of Virginia and Other Documents Illustrative of the Report and Resolutions”, p.136

topic: Exercise, Secular Society, Law, Redress, Founding

A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circlue of our felicities.

- Thomas Jefferson

topic: Wise, Wisdom, Men, Felicity, Limiting Government

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

- Joseph Story

source: Joseph Story (1851). “Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States: With a Preliminary Review of the Constitutional History of the Colonies and States, Before the Adoption of the Constitution”, p.296

topic: Government, People, United States, Secession, States Rights

It is doubtful that congress would pass the Bill of Rights if it were introduced today.

- Earl Warren

topic: Rights, Bills, Today, Bill Of Rights

The strength of this country lies in the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights and the freedom of speech and thought.

- George Soros

topic: Country, Lying, Rights, Bill Of Rights

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

- Benjamin Franklin

topic: Inspirational, Happiness, Peace, Social Democracy, Power Corruption

There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights.

- Smedley Butler

source: "War Is A Racket". Smedley Butler's speech in the U.S. (1933); later published as a book "War Is a Racket", www.businessinsider.com. 1935.

topic: Peace, War, Home, Bill Of Rights

I cannot agree with those who think of the Bill of Rights as an 18th century straitjacket, unsuited for this age...The evils it guards against are not only old, they are with us now, they exist today.

- Hugo Black

topic: Thinking, Gun, Rights, Bill Of Rights

I believe in religious liberty. I believe in freedom of speech. I believe in working hard and playing by the rules. I'm showing up for work tomorrow.

- William J. Clinton

topic: Religious, Believe, Freedom Of Speech, Bill Of Rights

I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and to the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed Constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colorable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do?

- Alexander Hamilton

topic: Rights, Done, Bills, Pretext, Bill Of Rights

I'm strongly for a patient Bill of Rights. Decisions ought to be made by doctors, not accountants.

- Charles Schumer

topic: Doctors, Rights, Decision, Accountants, Bill Of Rights