Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I agree with you that it is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities, which occur to him,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[A] spirit of justice and friendly accomodation...is our duty and our interest to cultivate with all nations. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
When habit has strengthened our sense of duties, they leave us no time for other things; but when young we neglect them… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Our minds and hearts are free to believe everything or nothing at all - and it is our duty to protect and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
With nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The patriot, like the Christian, must learn to bear revilings and persecutions as a part of his duty; and in proportion as… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To seek out the best [persons to serve in the government] though the whole Union, we must resort to the information which… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Time indeed changes manners and notions, and so far we must expect institutions to bend to them. But time produces also corruption… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The Greeks by their laws, and the Romans by the spirit of their people, took care to put into the hands of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We are firmly convinced, and we act on that conviction, that with nations as with individuals our interests soundly calculated will ever… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To instruct the mass of our citizens in these, their rights, interests and duties, as men and citizens...this brings us to the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved.… — 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
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
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
[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
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
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
“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
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
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
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
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
Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share
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
“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