The only orthodox object of the institution of government is to secure the greatest degree of happiness possible to the general mass… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If we are made in some degree for others, yet in a greater are we made for ourselves. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I do most anxiously wish to see the highest degrees of education given to the higher degrees of genius and to all… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I hope the necessity will at length be seen of establishing institutions, here as in Europe, where every branch of science, useful… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A country whose buildings are of wood, can never increase in its improvements to any considerable degree… Whereas when buildings are of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I deplore with you the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed, and the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
But whatever be their degree of talent it is no measure of their rights. Because Sir Isaac Newton was superior to others… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Man was destined for society. His morality, therefore, was to be formed to this object. He was endowed with a sense of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am convinced that those societies (such as the Native American peoples) which live without government enjoy in their general mass an… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Societies exist under three forms sufficiently distinguishable. 1. Without government, as among our Indians. 2. Under governments wherein the will of every… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The moral sense, or conscience, is as much part of a man as his leg or arm. It is given to all… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to; convinced that on their good sense we… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Government is being founded on opinion, the opinion of the public, even when it is wrong, ought to be respected to a… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The protection of our citizens, the spirit and honor of our country, require that force should be interposed to a certain degree. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If we are made in some degree for others, yet in a greater are we made for ourselves. It were contrary to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
And say, finally, whether peace is best preserved by giving energy to the government or information to the people. This last is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The people of every country are the only safe guardians of their own rights, and are the only instruments which can be… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, and that they are not safe unless enlightened to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A government regulating itself by what is wise and just for the many, uninfluenced by the local and selfish views of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It be urged that the wild and uncultivated tree, hitherto yielding sour and bitter fruit only, can never be made to yield… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I... [proposed] three distinct grades of education, reaching all classes. 1. Elementary schools for all children generally, rich and poor. 2. Colleges… — 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
![“It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a02/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_it-is-a-problem-not-clear-in-my-mind-tha_1271770.jpg)
![“I... [proposed] three distinct grades of education, reaching all classes. 1. Elementary schools for all children generally, rich and poor. 2. Colleges for a middle degree of instruction, calculated for the common purposes of life and such as should be desirable for all who were in easy…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/246/thomas-jefferson-43_children_i-proposed-three-distinct-grades-of-educ_2306767.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)
