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
Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their construction. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Laws abridging the natural right of the citizen should be restrained by rigorous constructions within their narrowest limits. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for enslaving mankind and adulterated by artificial constructions into a contrivance… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The construction applied . . . to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power .… — 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
On every question of construction (of the Constitution) let us carry ourselves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect… — 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
Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
When an instrument admits two constructions, the one safe, the other dangerous, the one precise, the other indefinite, I prefer that which… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he true key for the construction of everything doubtful in a law is the intention of the law-makers. This is most safely… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Such is the moral construction of the world that no national crime passes unpunished in the long run... Were present oppressors to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I see,... and with the deepest affliction, the rapid strides with which the federal branch of our government is advancing towards the… — 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
![“The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated by the plain understanding of the people of the United States at the time of its adoption - a meaning to be found in the explanations of those who advocated…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/759/thomas-jefferson-43_adoption_the-constitution-on-which-our-union-rest_929558.jpg)
![“[T]he true key for the construction of everything doubtful in a law is the intention of the law-makers. This is most safely gathered from the words, but may be sought also in extraneous circumstances provided they do not contradict the express words of the law.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0dd/thomas-jefferson-43_circumstances_t-he-true-key-for-the-construction-of-ev_2208761.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)
