---
title: "4 Enlightening Quotes By Thomas Jefferson"
description: "4 Enlightening quotes by Thomas Jefferson. Plus more from Thomas Jefferson and more Enlightening sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/thomas-jefferson-43_being-me_the-press-is-the-best-instrument-for-enl_321863.jpg"
---

> [The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-press-is-the-best-instrument-for-enlightening-the-mind-of-man-and/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6b7/thomas-jefferson-43_being-me_the-press-is-the-best-instrument-for-enl_321863.jpg)

> [Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of-the-people-but-reclaim-them/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg)

> [The value of science to a republican people, the security it gives to liberty by enlightening the minds of its citizens, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-value-of-science-to-a-republican-people-the-security-it-gives-to/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/350/thomas-jefferson-43_bears_the-value-of-science-to-a-republican-peo_1200532.jpg)

> [ This formidable censor of the public functionaries \[the press\], by arraigning them at the tribunal of public opinion, produces reform peaceably, which… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/this-formidable-censor-of-the-public-functionaries-the-press-by/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45b/thomas-jefferson-43_civil-rights_this-formidable-censor-of-the-public-fun_2795310.jpg)

## Other authors on Enlightening

- [ ![](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/uploads/sms4s/authors/processed/b004/author-andrew-mcmahon-13014.jpg) Andrew McMahon 32 quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightening/andrew-mcmahon/)

## More by Thomas Jefferson

> [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

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