Civil government being the sole object of forming societies, its administration must be conducted by common consent. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Were I to commence my administration again, the first question I would ask respecting a candidate would be, Does he use ardent… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We think, in America, that it is necessary to introduce the people into every department of government, as far as they are… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The people, especially when moderately instructed, are the only safe, because the only honest, depositaries of the public rights, and should therefore… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
During the course of administration, and in order to disturb it, the artillery of the press has been levelled against us, charged… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In the constitution of Spain as proposed by the late Cortes, there was a principle entirely new to me:... that no person… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It has also been a great solace to me, to believe that you are engaged in vindicating to posterity the course we… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
![“The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one of] those which ought to shape its administration.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/bb3/thomas-jefferson-43_abuse_the-diffusion-of-information-and-the-arr_2602644.jpg)
