If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as… — 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
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
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
I have great hope that some patriotic spirit will, at a favorable moment, call (up the law for religious freedom) and make… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is not the policy of the government in America to give aid to works of any kind. They let things take… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If ever this vast country is brought under a single government, it will be one of the most extensive corruption, indifferent and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In a free society with a government based on reason, it is inevitable that there will be no uniform opinion about important… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am convinced that those societies (such as the Native American peoples) which live without government enjoy in their general mass an… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
By nature's law, every man has a right to seize and retake by force his own property taken from him by another,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is a wise rule and should be fundamental in a government disposed to cherish its credit, and at the same time… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subject… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The foundation on which (our government is) built is the natural equality of man, the denial of every pre-eminence but that annexed… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some germ of corruption and degeneracy, which cunning will discover, and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The First Amendment has created a wall of separation between the church and the State. But that wall is one directional. It… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If virtuous, the government need not fear the fair operation of attack and defense. Nature has given to man no other means… — 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
We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Unless the mass retains sufficient control over those entrusted with the powers of their government, these will be perverted to their own… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man. . . . [are] the sole objects of all legitimate… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I considered 4 of these bills [of the revised code of Virginia] as forming a system by which every fibre would be… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The concentrating of powers in the same hands is precisely the definition of despotic government. It will be no alleviation that these… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
No one, I hope, can doubt my wish to see... all mankind exercising self-government, and capable of exercising it. But the question… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve… — 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
If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Religion, morality, and knowledge are necessary for good government... Therefore schools and the means of educating the people should always be encouraged. — 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
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
A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[We should be] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government...… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The people are the ultimate guardians of their own liberties. In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore . . . never… — 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)
![“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. [Misattributed]” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/fb1/thomas-jefferson-43_arms_the-strongest-reason-for-the-people-to-r_951173.jpg)
![“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes [Letter to von Humboldt, 1813].” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/cba/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_history-i-believe-furnishes-no-example-o_491860.jpg)
![“It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/a02/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_it-is-a-problem-not-clear-in-my-mind-tha_1271770.jpg)
![“The main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man. . . . [are] the sole objects of all legitimate government. A plaque with this quotation, with the first phrase omitted, is in the stairwell of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/a78/thomas-jefferson-43_firsts_the-main-objects-of-all-science-the-free_1587799.jpg)
![“I considered 4 of these bills [of the revised code of Virginia] as forming a system by which every fibre would be eradicated of antient or future aristocracy; and a foundation laid for a government truly republican.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/87a/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_i-considered-4-of-these-bills-of-the-rev_1443307.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)
![“[We should be] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government... in which alone we see liberty, safety and happiness.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/afb/thomas-jefferson-43_determined_we-should-be-determined-to-sever-ourselv_2791539.jpg)
![“[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore . . . never to see all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought and sold at market.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/6ea/thomas-jefferson-43_concern_t-he-states-can-best-govern-our-home-con_638091.jpg)
