--- title: "4 Civilized society Quotes By Thomas Jefferson" description: "4 Civilized society quotes by Thomas Jefferson. Plus more from Thomas Jefferson and more Civilized society sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/thomas-jefferson-43_ancestor_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_782391.jpg" --- > [I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-changes-in-laws-and-constitutions/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/thomas-jefferson-43_ancestor_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_782391.jpg) > [I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-changes-in-laws-and-constitutions-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_1664946.jpg) > [“I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-certainly-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-and-untried-changes-in-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/thomas-jefferson-43_advances_i-am-certainly-not-an-advocate-for-frequ_2167033.jpg) > [Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. . . . We might as well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-and-institutions-must-go-hand-in-hand-with-the-progress-of-the-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_laws-and-institutions-must-go-hand-in-ha_2393330.jpg) ## Other authors on Civilized society - [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b001/author-abhijit-naskar-99.jpg) Abhijit Naskar 11 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/#itemlist", "name": "4 Civilized society Quotes By Thomas Jefferson", "numberOfItems": 4, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-changes-in-laws-and-constitutions/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/thomas-jefferson-43_ancestor_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_782391.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/thomas-jefferson-43_ancestor_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_782391.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/thomas-jefferson-43_ancestor_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_782391.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand…” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-changes-in-laws-and-constitutions-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_1664946.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_1664946.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/03f/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_1664946.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand…” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate imperfections had better be borne with; because, when once known, we accommodate ourselves to them, and find practical means of correcting their ill effects. But I know also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy, as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-certainly-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-and-untried-changes-in-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/thomas-jefferson-43_advances_i-am-certainly-not-an-advocate-for-frequ_2167033.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/thomas-jefferson-43_advances_i-am-certainly-not-an-advocate-for-frequ_2167033.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/464/thomas-jefferson-43_advances_i-am-certainly-not-an-advocate-for-frequ_2167033.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I am certainly not an advocate for frequent and untried changes in laws and constitutions. I think moderate…” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. . . . We might as well require a man to wear the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain forever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/laws-and-institutions-must-go-hand-in-hand-with-the-progress-of-the-2/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_laws-and-institutions-must-go-hand-in-ha_2393330.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_laws-and-institutions-must-go-hand-in-ha_2393330.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/47b/thomas-jefferson-43_amending-the-constit_laws-and-institutions-must-go-hand-in-ha_2393330.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. . . . We might as well…” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } } ] }, { "@type": "CollectionPage", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/#webpage", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/", "name": "Civilized society Quotes by Thomas Jefferson", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/#itemlist" }, "primaryImageOfPage": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/003/thomas-jefferson-43_ancestor_i-am-not-an-advocate-for-frequent-change_782391.jpg" }, "description": "4 Civilized society quotes by Thomas Jefferson. Plus more from Thomas Jefferson and more Civilized society sayings from other authors.", "breadcrumb": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/#breadcrumb" } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/#breadcrumb", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Topics", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/categories/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Civilized Society", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilized-society/thomas-jefferson/" } ] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```