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
A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Instead of that liberty which takes root and growth in the progress of reason, if recovered by mere force or accident, it… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The most effective means of preventing tyranny is to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I had always hoped that the younger generation receiving their early impressions after the flame of liberty had been kindled in every… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of the day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Most codes extend their definitions of treason to acts not really against one's country. They do not distinguish between acts against the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“The executive power in our government is not the only, perhaps not even the principal, object of my solicitude. The tyranny of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The executive, in our government is not the sole, it is scarcely the principle, object of my jealousy. The tyranny of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The history of his present majesty, is a history of unremitting injuries and usurpationsall of which have in direct object the establishment… — 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
