The Beauty of an Imperfect Constitution

In the 1994 film With Honors, a deeply poignant exchange unfolds between Simon Wilder, a homeless yet insightful man, and Professor Pitkannan, a rigid intellectual at Harvard. Their dialogue on the U.S. Constitution exposes two opposing views of governance—one that sees the Constitution as crude because it trusts ordinary people, and one that sees its flexibility and humility as its greatest strength. In a time when many Christians are struggling to reconcile their faith with the moral failures of our government, this scene offers a timely reminder of what makes American democracy not only functional but deeply spiritual: its ability to adapt, self-correct, and rely on the wisdom of flawed but redeemable people.

The Beauty of an Imperfect Constitution

In the 1994 film With Honors, a deeply poignant exchange unfolds between Simon Wilder, a homeless yet insightful man, and Professor Pitkannan, a rigid intellectual at Harvard. Their dialogue on the U.S. Constitution exposes two opposing views of governance—one that sees the Constitution as crude because it trusts ordinary people, and one that sees its flexibility and humility as its greatest strength. In a time when many Christians are struggling to reconcile their faith with the moral failures of our government, this scene offers a timely reminder of what makes American democracy not only functional but deeply spiritual: its ability to adapt, self-correct, and rely on the wisdom of flawed but redeemable people.

The Passage in Context

Simon Wilder: "You asked the question, sir, now let me answer it. The beauty of the Constitution is that it can always be changed. The beauty of the Constitution is that it makes no set law other than faith in the wisdom of ordinary people to govern themselves."

Professor Pitkannan: "Faith in the wisdom of the people is exactly what makes the Constitution incomplete and crude."

Simon Wilder: "Crude? No, sir. Our 'founding parents' were pompous, white, middle-aged farmers, but they were also great men. Because they knew one thing that all great men should know: that they didn't know everything. Sure, they'd make mistakes, but they made sure to leave a way to correct them. The president is not an 'elected king,' no matter how many bombs he can drop. Because the 'crude' Constitution doesn't trust him. He's just a bum, okay Mr. Pitkannan? He's just a bum."

This conversation, though fictional, touches on truths both constitutional and biblical. The Founders didn’t claim moral perfection—they built a system designed to contain power, admit fault, and seek justice. That is not weakness. That is humility, and from a Christian standpoint, it is the foundation of wisdom.

 “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” 

– Proverbs 11:2

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… who are wise in their own eyes.” 

– Isaiah 5:20–21

Simon Wilder is right to say the Founders were “pompous” and “middle-aged white farmers,” but he’s even more right to call them great—not because they were flawless, but because they knew they weren’t. The U.S. Constitution’s amendment process (Article V) was their admission that human systems must evolve. They created a document that trusted not elites or kings, but “We the People.”

This is profoundly biblical. Throughout Scripture, God chooses ordinary, imperfect people—Moses, David, Peter—to do extraordinary things. In fact, God’s entire redemptive story is built on broken vessels who seek truth and repent.

 “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise… so that no one may boast before him.” – 1 Corinthians 1:27–29

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23

So when Professor Pitkannan derides the Constitution’s trust in the wisdom of the people, he is not just critiquing democracy—he is rejecting the redemptive principle of free will, humility, and growth. True greatness lies not in being always right, but in building a system that allows repentance, correction, and justice.

Simon’s words—“The president is not an elected king… he’s just a bum”—echo the framers’ distrust of absolute power. The Constitution, influenced by Enlightenment philosophy and Judeo-Christian ethics, intentionally limits executive power through checks and balances (Federalist No. 51, Madison).

This matters today. Many Americans on both the right and left are tempted to treat their preferred president as a messianic figure—one who can do no wrong and must not be questioned. This is dangerous, both politically and spiritually.

 “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” 

– Psalm 146:3

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” 

– Mark 12:17

America was not designed for kings. It was designed for servant-leaders accountable to the people, the law, and ultimately God. When presidents rule by executive fiat, when they ignore Congress or mock the courts, we should be alarmed—not applauding. Simon’s comment reminds us that power must always be humbled by the Constitution.

In modern politics, we see both political tribes weaponizing the Constitution when it suits them and dismissing it when it doesn’t. Many Christians are complicit. Some have confused Christian nationalism with biblical Christianity, supporting authoritarian behavior in the name of patriotism.

But Jesus calls us to a higher loyalty—to truth, justice, mercy, and humility.

 “He has shown you, O man, what is good… To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” 

– Micah 6:8

We should defend the Constitution not because it is perfect, but because it is accountable. It allows protest. It protects free speech. It provides due process for all people—not just citizens (as established in Yick Wo v. Hopkins, Plyler v. Doe, and Zadvydas v. Davis). And it restrains tyranny, regardless of who is in office.

In an age where many would rather fight culture wars than pursue justice, the Constitution—crude though it may seem—is one of the last tools we have to repent, reform, and rebuild.

Simon Wilder, though homeless and mocked, speaks with the wisdom of a prophet. His defense of the Constitution is not just legal—it is moral. It reflects the biblical truth that no human is infallible, but systems of justice can and must be created with humility and accountability.

As Christians, we should not idolize the past or cling to power at any cost. We should strive for a society that reflects the justice, mercy, and truth of God, using the tools we’ve been given—imperfect but redeemable. The Constitution, like the people it serves, is not sacred. But it is a vessel of grace and restraint, when governed by the fear of God and the dignity of all people.

Bibliography

Keshishian, Alek, director. With Honors. Warner Bros., 1994.

Mastrosimone, William. With Honors (screenplay). Warner Bros., 1994.

Madison, James. The Federalist No. 51. 1788.

The Constitution of the United States. National Archives, 1787.

Plato. The Republic. Translated by Allan Bloom, Basic Books, 1968.

Yick Wo v. Hopkins, 118 U.S. 356 (1886).

Plyler v. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982).

Zadvydas v. Davis, 533 U.S. 678 (2001).

The Holy Bible. English Standard Version. Crossway Bibles, 2016.

King, Martin Luther Jr. I Have a Dream. Speech, 28 Aug. 1963, Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

Lincoln, Abraham. Gettysburg Address. 19 Nov. 1863.