[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
I may err in my measures, but never shall deflect from the intention to fortify the public liberty by every possible means,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am sorry they began their deliberations by so abominable a precedent as that of tying up the tongues of their members.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“Nothing was or is farther from my intentions, than to enlist myself as the champion of a fixed opinion, where I have… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he true key for the construction of everything doubtful in a law is the intention of the law-makers. This is most safely… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
No government should be without critics. If its intentions are good then it has nothing to fear from criticism. — 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 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 true key for the construction of everything doubtful in a law is the intention of the law-makers. This is most safely gathered from the words, but may be sought also in extraneous circumstances provided they do not contradict the express words of the law.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/0dd/thomas-jefferson-43_circumstances_t-he-true-key-for-the-construction-of-ev_2208761.jpg)
