Memorable Quotes and quotations from Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson 3rd president of US (1743 - 1826)Thomas Jefferson - - Our friendships are precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life;and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part is sunshine. Thomas Jefferson - letter to John Melish, January 13, 1813 - An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens. Thomas Jefferson - - Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it. Thomas Jefferson - - Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment. Thomas Jefferson - - We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate. Thomas Jefferson - Writings - When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred. Thomas Jefferson - - We never regret having eaten too little. Thomas Jefferson - - Democracy is 51% of the people taking away the rights of the other 49%. Thomas Jefferson - Notes on the State of Virginia - Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error. Thomas Jefferson - Letter to James Madison, 1787 - A little rebellion now and then...is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. Thomas Jefferson - - There is nothing more unequal, than the equal treatment of unequal people. Thomas Jefferson - - The tree of Liberty needs to be watered from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson - - My views and feelings (are) in favor of the abolition of war--and I hope it is practicable, by improving the mind and morals of society, to lessen the disposition to war; but of its abolition I despair. Thomas Jefferson - - Question with boldness even the existance of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson - - Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear. Thomas Jefferson - - Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state. Thomas Jefferson - - It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson - - I cannot live without books. Thomas Jefferson - - Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like spirits at the dawn of day. Thomas Jefferson - - I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another. Thomas Jefferson - - Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies. Thomas Jefferson - - In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson - - Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it. Thomas Jefferson - to Archibald Stuart, 1791 - I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. Thomas Jefferson - - Question with boldness even the existence of God; because, if there is one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded faith. Thomas Jefferson - First Inaugural Address - Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the governing of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question. Thomas Jefferson - - The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson - - Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances. Thomas Jefferson - - Be polite to all, but intimate with few. Thomas Jefferson - Notes on Virginia - It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. Thomas Jefferson - - The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson - (Notes on Virginia, 1782) - Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong. Thomas Jefferson - - The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. Thomas Jefferson - - Never spend your money before you have it. Thomas Jefferson - - No nation was ever drunk when wine was cheap. Thomas Jefferson - - The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. Thomas Jefferson - letter to Count Diodati, 1807 - I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty. Thomas Jefferson - - The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. Thomas Jefferson - letter to Elbridge Gerry, 1799 - I am for freedom of religion, & against all maneuvres to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another. Thomas Jefferson - - We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. Thomas Jefferson - - Never trouble another for what you can do for yourself. Thomas Jefferson - - I cannot live without books. Thomas Jefferson - - Banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies. Thomas Jefferson - - Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom. Thomas Jefferson - - That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves. Thomas Jefferson - - Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. Thomas Jefferson - - Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God. Thomas Jefferson - letter to Samuel Kercheval, July 12, 1816 - We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. Thomas Jefferson - - I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. Thomas Jefferson - - I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it. Thomas Jefferson - - The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. Thomas Jefferson - - When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property Thomas Jefferson - - I live for books. Thomas Jefferson - - The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson - - Determine never to be idle...It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing. Thomas Jefferson - letter to his cousin John Garland Jefferson, June 11, 1790 - Health is worth more than learning. Thomas Jefferson - - The Price Of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance. Thomas Jefferson - - Delay is preferable to error. Thomas Jefferson - - If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as are the souls of those who live under tyranny. Thomas Jefferson - - Is it the Fourth? Thomas Jefferson - Resolutions, 1803 - Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched. Thomas Jefferson - - I cannot live without books. Thomas Jefferson - - I believe that justice is instinct and innate, the moral sense is as much a part of our constitution as the threat of feeling, seeing and hearing. Thomas Jefferson - - The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. Thomas Jefferson - - I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson - letter to James Lewis, Jr., May 9, 1798 - If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it. Thomas Jefferson - letter to George Washington, September 9, 1792 - No government ought to be without censors & where the press is free, no one ever will. Thomas Jefferson - - The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best. Thomas Jefferson - - Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one. Thomas Jefferson - Letter to Nathaniel Macon, January 12, 1819 - Advertisements... contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper. Thomas Jefferson - 1801 - My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me. Thomas Jefferson - - Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far. Thomas Jefferson - Notes on the State of Virginia - denouncing the evils of slavery - Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson - - The happiest moments of my life have a been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. Thomas Jefferson - - The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object. Thomas Jefferson - Notes on the State of Virginia, 1781-82 - The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. |
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