Political Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

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

— Thomas Jefferson

The Governor would serve a five-year term and be ineligible for reelection.

— Thomas Jefferson

We often repent of what we have said, but never, never, of that which we have not.

— Thomas Jefferson

Truth between candid minds can never do harm.

— Thomas Jefferson

The ordinary affairs of a nation offer little difficulty to a person of any experience.

— Thomas Jefferson

I hope we shall . . . crush in [its] birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations.

— Thomas Jefferson

If I could not go to Heaven but with a party, I would not go there at all.

— Thomas Jefferson

The tender breasts of ladies were not formed for political convulsion.

— Thomas Jefferson

It is my disposition to maintain peace until its condition shall be made less tolerable than that of war itself.

— Thomas Jefferson

I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world and do not find in our particular superstition [Christianity] one…

— Thomas Jefferson

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.

— Thomas Jefferson

To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless…

— Thomas Jefferson

My passion strengthens daily to quit political turmoil, and retire into the bosom of my family, the only scene of sincere and…

— Thomas Jefferson

The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the…

— Thomas Jefferson

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives…

— Thomas Jefferson

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

— Thomas Jefferson

I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason…

— Thomas Jefferson

I leave to others the sublime delights of riding in the storm, better pleased with sound sleep & a warmer berth below…

— Thomas Jefferson

A cold-blooded, calculation, unprincipled, usurper, without a virtue, no statesman, knowing nothing of commerce, political economy, or civil government, and supplying ignorance…

— 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

You know well that government always kept a kind of standing army of newswriters who, without any regard to truth or to…

— 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

I suppose, indeed, that in public life, a man whose political principles have any decided character and who has energy enough to…

— Thomas Jefferson

Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Nor is it less…

— Thomas Jefferson

I candidly confess that I have ever looked on Cuba as the most interesting addition which could ever be made to our…

— 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

Let us, then, fellow citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection…

— Thomas Jefferson

The parties of Whig and Tory are those of nature. They exist in all countries, whether called by these names or by…

— Thomas Jefferson

You and I have formerly seen warm debates and high political passions. But gentlemen of different politics would then speak to each…

— Thomas Jefferson

Both of our political parties, at least the honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in the same object: the public good; but…

— Thomas Jefferson

My reason for fixing them in office for a term of years, rather than for life, was that they might have an…

— Thomas Jefferson

I sincerely join you in abjuring all political connection with every foreign power; and tho I cordially wish well to the progress…

— Thomas Jefferson

Were we directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we should soon want bread.

— Thomas Jefferson

Political interest [can] never be separated in the long run from moral right.

— Thomas Jefferson

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.

— Thomas Jefferson

The constitutional freedom of religion is the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights

— Thomas Jefferson

To consider judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place…

— Thomas Jefferson

Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.

— Thomas Jefferson

It is not by the consolidation or concentration of powers but by their distribution that good government is effected.

— Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save…

— Thomas Jefferson