Political Quotes

Thomas Paine: A constitution, therefore, is to a government what the laws made afterwards by that government are to a court of…

On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
A constitution, therefore, is to a government what the laws made afterwards by that government are to a court of judicature.
Said by
Thomas Paine

Editor's note · Context

Paine uses an analogy in "Rights of Man" to explain the foundational role of a constitution in relation to government.

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