No society can make a perpetual constitution... The earth belongs always to the living generation. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To take a single step beyond the text would be to take possession of a boundless field of power. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Bind them down by the chains of the Constitution where they can do no mischief. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If some period be not fixed, either by the Constitution or by practice, to the services of the First Magistrate, his office,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The elective franchise, if guarded as the ark of our safety, will peaceably dissipate all combinations to subvert a Constitution, dictated by… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The President is bound to stop at the limits prescribed by our Constitution and law to the authorities in his hands, [and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The declaration of rights [Bill of Rights] is, like all other human blessings, alloyed with some inconveniences and not accomplishing fully its… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Our judges are as honest as other men and not more so. They have, with others, the same passions for party, for… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The mobs of the great cities add just so much to the support of pure government as sores do to the strength… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[The purpose of a written constitution is] to bind up the several branches of government by certain laws, which, when they transgress,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is left... to the juries, if they think the permanent judges are under any bias whatever in any cause, to take… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I will now add what I do not like. First, the omission of a bill of rights providing clearly and without the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
As, for the safety of society, we commit honest maniacs to Bedlam, so judges should be withdrawn from their bench, whose erroneous… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
With all the defects in our Constitution, whether general or particular, the comparison of our government with those of Europe, is like… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It has been thought that the people are not competent electors of judges learned in the law. But I do not know… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A judiciary independent of a king or executive alone, is a good thing; but independence of the will of the nation is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the Covenant, too sacred to be touched.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruption's of time and party, its… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the]… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
This is perhaps the most important statement on religion ever made. It clarified the intent of the founders of the constitution irrespective… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]o preserve the republican form and principles of our Constitution and cleave to the salutary distribution of powers which that [the Constitution]… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If the question [before justices of the peace] relate to any point of public liberty, or if it be one of those… — 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 President is bound to stop at the limits prescribed by our Constitution and law to the authorities in his hands, [and this] would apply in an occasion of peace as well as war.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/68b/thomas-jefferson-43_authority_the-president-is-bound-to-stop-at-the-li_1423355.jpg)
![“The declaration of rights [Bill of Rights] is, like all other human blessings, alloyed with some inconveniences and not accomplishing fully its object. But the good in this instance vastly outweighs the evil.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/ae3/thomas-jefferson-43_bill-of-rights_the-declaration-of-rights-bill-of-rights_2395446.jpg)
![“The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated by the plain understanding of the people of the United States at the time of its adoption - a meaning to be found in the explanations of those who advocated…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/759/thomas-jefferson-43_adoption_the-constitution-on-which-our-union-rest_929558.jpg)
![“[The purpose of a written constitution is] to bind up the several branches of government by certain laws, which, when they transgress, their acts shall become nullities; to render unnecessary an appeal to the people, or in other words a rebellion, on every infraction of their rights, on the peril…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/867/thomas-jefferson-43_acquiescence_the-purpose-of-a-written-constitution-is_244689.jpg)
![“[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their, own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/cfa/thomas-jefferson-43_action_t-he-opinion-which-gives-to-the-judges-t_2055401.jpg)
![“To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the] functions of the General Government on which [our citizens] have a right to call.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/d09/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_to-draw-around-the-whole-nation-the-stre_130273.jpg)
![“Many of the opposition [to the new Federal Constitution] wish to take from Congress the power of internal taxation. Calculation has convinced me that this would be very mischievous.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/e89/thomas-jefferson-43_calculations_many-of-the-opposition-to-the-new-federa_936908.jpg)
![“[T]o preserve the republican form and principles of our Constitution and cleave to the salutary distribution of powers which that [the Constitution] has established . . . are the two sheet anchors of our Union. If driven from either, we shall be in danger of foundering.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/367/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_t-o-preserve-the-republican-form-and-pri_573736.jpg)
![“[An] act of the Congress of the United States... which assumes powers... not delegated by the Constitution, is not law, but is altogether void and of no force.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/1d6/thomas-jefferson-43_assuming_an-act-of-the-congress-of-the-united-sta_2118842.jpg)
![“If the question [before justices of the peace] relate to any point of public liberty, or if it be one of those in which the judges may be suspected of bias, the jury undertake to decide both law and fact.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/f8a/thomas-jefferson-43_bias_if-the-question-before-justices-of-the-p_982924.jpg)
