Close. It means applying the law (not just the constitution) exactly as written.
Chat with our AI personalities
The preamble of the constitution.
The phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" does not come from the Preamble to the Constitution. This phrase is actually from the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. The Preamble to the Constitution begins with the famous words, "We the People," and outlines the goals and purposes of the Constitution, such as establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing the blessings of liberty.
The verb phrase is - has been amended.
The phrase "do Ordain and establish this Constitution" most literally means "do order officially and found this Constitution." The statement essentially means that by their power as the 13 colony's governors, they were collectively agreeing to form and enforce the Constitution upon the colonies.
The phrase is actually 'we the people.' With these words, the United States Constitution established its authority on the basis of popular sovereignty.