Patrick Henry is often credited with the quotation: “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.” There is no record he ever said it.

The quotation appears in print from only about 2001.


Wikiquote: Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry (29 May 1736 – 6 June 1799) was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, known and remembered primarily for his stirring oratory.
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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.
. As quoted in The Best Liberal Quotes Ever : Why the Left is Right (2004) by William P. Martin

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“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
- Patrick Henry

2 November 2002, Rocky Mount (NC) Telegram:
Jones, 59, said he believes in the politics of Patrick Henry, who said, “The Constitution should not be an instrument to restrain the people, but an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”

The Daily News (Bogalusa, LA)
Middleton is candidate for Dist. 12 Senate seat
Published/Last Modified on Monday, July 14, 2003 10:48 AM CDT
FOLSOM—Stanley Middleton, a retired contractor, a resident of Folsom for 37 years and a democrat, announces his entrance into the race for Senator of District 12.
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Middleton said the following statement made by Patrick Henry is what pushes him to enter this race, “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people. It is an instrument for the people to restrain the government—less it comes to dominate our lives and interests.”

Jewish World Review
Nov. 18, 2008 / 20 Mar-Cheshvan 5769
The truth about government
By Tom Purcell
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“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.” — Patrick Henry

I’m a fan of Patrick Henry and of the Constitution for the United States of America. Sadly, this would actually put me at odds with Patrick Henry. To the extent that anyone takes this quotation as reflecting Patrick Henry’s sincere sentiments with respect to the Constitution for the United States of America they would be very badly mistaken in doing so. Perhaps Patrick Henry would have made such a comment with respect to the Constitution for the State of Virginia - but I seriously doubt that he ever said any such think about the Constitution for the United States of America. The fact is that Patrick Henry refused an invitation to represent Virginia as a delegate at the Federal Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia and, when that Convention was over and submitted its proposal for a new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation, no one opposed it more vehemently in Virginia (nor, I believe, in any other state) than did Patrick Henry.