To take a single step beyond the text would be to take possession of a boundless field of power. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. — 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
I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Experience has already shown that the impeachment the Constitution has provided is not even a scarecrow. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are… — 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
I had rather ask an enlargement of power from the nation, where it is found necessary, than to assume it by a… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I do not like [in the new Federal Constitution] the omission of a Bill of Rights providing clearly and without the aid… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I consider the government of the U.S. as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
All authority belongs to the people... In questions of power let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him… — 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
[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
It is left... to the juries, if they think the permanent judges are under any bias whatever in any cause, to take… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Some men look at Constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them, like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves ; and if we think them… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The elective franchise, if guarded as the ark of our safety, will peaceably dissipate all combinations to subvert a Constitution, dictated by… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason… — 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… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they… — 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
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
Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. . . . We might as well… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and I am sure...we both value too much the freedom of opinion… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The same political parties which now agitiate the US have existed through all time. And in fact the terms of whig and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Our Constitution... has not left the religion of its citizens under the power of its public functionaries, were it possible that any… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to… — 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
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
I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The wisdom of our ages and the blood of our heroes has been devoted to the attainment of trial by jury. It… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Many are the exercises of power reserved to the States wherein a uniformity of proceeding would be advantageous to all. Such are… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I believe that justice is instinct and innate, that the moral sense is as much a part of our constitution as that… — 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
Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
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 Image
“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 Image
![“[T]he opinion which gives to the judges the right to decide what laws are constitutional and what not, not only for themselves, in their, own sphere of action, but for the Legislature and Executive also in their spheres, would make the Judiciary a despotic branch.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfa/thomas-jefferson-43_action_t-he-opinion-which-gives-to-the-judges-t_2055401.jpg)
![“I do not like [in the new Federal Constitution] the omission of a Bill of Rights providing clearly and without the aid of sophisms for... protection against standing armies” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/796/thomas-jefferson-43_aids_i-do-not-like-in-the-new-federal-constit_2689480.jpg)
![“[The purpose of a written constitution is] to bind up the several branches of government by certain laws, which, when they transgress, their acts shall become nullities; to render unnecessary an appeal to the people, or in other words a rebellion, on every infraction of their rights, on the peril…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/867/thomas-jefferson-43_acquiescence_the-purpose-of-a-written-constitution-is_244689.jpg)
![“We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, (as in electing their…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9c2/thomas-jefferson-43_2-amendment_we-established-however-some-although-not_2082638.jpg)
![“[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/033/thomas-jefferson-43_britain_i-n-great-britain-it-is-said-that-their_143406.jpg)
![“Every constitution..., and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years [a generation]. If it be enforced longer, it is anact of force, and not of right.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/efe/thomas-jefferson-43_constitution_every-constitution-and-every-law-natural_235260.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
