Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
While the principles of our Constitution give just latitude to inquiry, every citizen faithful to it will deem embodied expressions of discontent… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
My construction of the constitution is very different from that you quote. It is that each department is truly independent of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
No society can make a perpetual constitution... The earth belongs always to the living generation. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To me... it appears that there have been differences of opinion and party differences, from the first establishment of government to the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Every constitution..., and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years [a generation]. If it be enforced longer, it is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[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
How to check these unconstitutional invasions of rights by the Federal judiciary? Not by impeachment in the first instance, but by a… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The system of banking have[for]ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all our Constitutions, which, if not covered, will… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is every Americans' right and obligation to read and interpret the Constitution for himself. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The constitution has divided the powers of government into three branches, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary, lodging each with a distinct magistracy. The… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]o preserve the republican form and principles of our Constitution and cleave to the salutary distribution of powers which that [the Constitution]… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If some period be not fixed, either by the Constitution or by practice, to the services of the First Magistrate, his office,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on true free principles,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The instability of our laws is really an immense evil. I think it would be well to provide in our constitutions that… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The Constitution is a mere thing of wax in the hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the States are independent as to everything within themselves,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated… — 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 Image
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 Image
[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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
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 Image
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