Opinion Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

— Thomas Jefferson

The variety of opinions leads to questions. Questions lead to truth.

— Thomas Jefferson

Is uniformity of opinion desirable? No more than that of face and stature.

— Thomas Jefferson

The basis of our government (is) is opinion of the people.

— Thomas Jefferson

The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.

— Thomas Jefferson

Opinion, and the just maintenance of it, shall never be a crime in my view.

— Thomas Jefferson

Truth between candid minds can never do harm.

— Thomas Jefferson

Difference of opinion leads to inquiry, and inquiry to the truth.

— Thomas Jefferson

Nothing but good can result from an exchange of information and opinions between those whose circumstances and morals admit no doubt of…

— Thomas Jefferson

“Nothing was or is farther from my intentions, than to enlist myself as the champion of a fixed opinion, where I have…

— Thomas Jefferson

As new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also…

— Thomas Jefferson

I tolerate with the utmost latitude the right of others to differ from me in opinion without imputing to them criminality.

— Thomas Jefferson

Our civil rights have no dependence upon our religious opinions more than our opinions in physics or geometry.

— Thomas Jefferson

If thinking men would have the courage to think for themselves, and to speak what they think, it would be found they…

— Thomas Jefferson

I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions sometimes to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony.

— Thomas Jefferson

The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.

— Thomas Jefferson

Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error... They are the natural enemies of error, and of error only...…

— Thomas Jefferson

The proscribing any citizen as unworthy the public confidence by laying upon him an incapacity of being called to offices of trust…

— Thomas Jefferson

This formidable censor of the public functionaries [the press], by arraigning them at the tribunal of public opinion, produces reform peaceably, which…

— Thomas Jefferson

In the middle ages of Christianity opposition to the State opinions was hushed. The consequence was, Christianity became loaded with all the…

— Thomas Jefferson

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be ... The People cannot…

— Thomas Jefferson

If there be any among us who wish to dissolve the Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed,…

— Thomas Jefferson

But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have been called by different names brethren of the same…

— Thomas Jefferson

When, in short, we shall have unlearned everything which has been taught since his [Jesus'] day, and got back to the pure…

— Thomas Jefferson

Well aware that the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will, but follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to…

— Thomas Jefferson

Political dissension is doubtless a less evil than the lethargy of despotism: but still it is a great evil, and it would…

— Thomas Jefferson

To your request of my opinion of the manner in which a newspaper should be conducted, so as to be most useful,…

— Thomas Jefferson

“I agree with yours of the 22d that a professorship of Theology should have no place in our institution . but we…

— Thomas Jefferson

Shake off all the fears and servile prejudices under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and…

— Thomas Jefferson

But whatever be their degree of talent it is no measure of their rights. Because Sir Isaac Newton was superior to others…

— Thomas Jefferson

Are we to have a censor whose imprimatur shall say what books may be sold, and what we may buy? And who…

— Thomas Jefferson

The tumults in America I expected would have produced in Europe an unfavorable opinion of our political state. But it has not.…

— Thomas Jefferson

The legislative powers of government reach actions only and not opinions.

— Thomas Jefferson

One had rather have no opinion than a false one.

— Thomas Jefferson

But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.

— Thomas Jefferson

Difference of opinion is helpful in religion.

— Thomas Jefferson

A government held together by the bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion.

— Thomas Jefferson

It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and…

— Thomas Jefferson

When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground.

— Thomas Jefferson

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

— Thomas Jefferson