--- title: "17 Foundation Quotes By Thomas Jefferson" description: "17 Foundation quotes by Thomas Jefferson. Plus more from Thomas Jefferson and more Foundation sayings from other authors." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/thomas-jefferson-43_4th-of-july_the-will-of-the-people-is-the-only-legit_853289.jpg" --- > [The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-will-of-the-people-is-the-only-legitimate-foundation-of-any-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a92/thomas-jefferson-43_4th-of-july_the-will-of-the-people-is-the-only-legit_853289.jpg) > [The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-only-foundation-for-useful-education-in-a-republic-is-to-be-laid/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8cd/thomas-jefferson-43_education_the-only-foundation-for-useful-education_1600625.jpg) > [Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their construction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/common-sense-is-the-foundation-of-all-authorities-of-the-laws/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5bb/thomas-jefferson-43_authority_common-sense-is-the-foundation-of-all-au_954248.jpg) > [The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-true-foundation-of-republican-government-is-the-equal-right-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb0/thomas-jefferson-43_citizens_the-true-foundation-of-republican-govern_57240.jpg) > [The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-cornerstone-of-democracy-rests-on-the-foundation-of-an-educated/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ff/thomas-jefferson-43_cornerstones_the-cornerstone-of-democracy-rests-on-th_252255.jpg) > [I think by far the most important bill in our whole code is that for the diffusion of knowlege among the people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-think-by-far-the-most-important-bill-in-our-whole-code-is-that-for/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf2/thomas-jefferson-43_bills_i-think-by-far-the-most-important-bill-i_1751341.jpg) > [If we did a good act merely from love of God and a belief that it is pleasing to Him, whence arises…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-we-did-a-good-act-merely-from-love-of-god-and-a-belief-that-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c3/thomas-jefferson-43_arise_if-we-did-a-good-act-merely-from-love-of_2248746.jpg) > [The mass of our citizens may be divided into two classes -- the laboring and the learned. The laboring will need the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-mass-of-our-citizens-may-be-divided-into-two-classes-the-laboring/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/98d/thomas-jefferson-43_citizens_the-mass-of-our-citizens-may-be-divided_1873216.jpg) > [The judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-judiciary-of-the-united-states-is-the-subtle-corps-of-sappers-and/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2c/thomas-jefferson-43_constitution_the-judiciary-of-the-united-states-is-th_3159216.jpg) > [The foundation on which (our government is) built is the natural equality of man, the denial of every pre-eminence but that annexed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-foundation-on-which-our-government-is-built-is-the-natural/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/758/thomas-jefferson-43_birth_the-foundation-on-which-our-government-i_2538438.jpg) > [ I considered 4 of these bills \[of the revised code of Virginia\] as forming a system by which every fibre would be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-considered-4-of-these-bills-of-the-revised-code-of-virginia-as/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87a/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_i-considered-4-of-these-bills-of-the-rev_1443307.jpg) > [The majority, oppressing an individual, is guilty of a crime, abuses its strength, and by acting on the law of the strongest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-majority-oppressing-an-individual-is-guilty-of-a-crime-abuses-its/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/526/thomas-jefferson-43_abuse_the-majority-oppressing-an-individual-is_779318.jpg) > [The truth is, that the greatest enemies to the doctrines of Jesus are those, calling themselves the expositors of them, who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-truth-is-that-the-greatest-enemies-to-the-doctrines-of-jesus-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e0a/thomas-jefferson-43_calling_the-truth-is-that-the-greatest-enemies-t_1125458.jpg) > [I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constitution-as-laid-on-this-ground/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg) > [The fumes of the most disordered imaginations were recorded in their religious code, as special communications of the Deity; and as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-fumes-of-the-most-disordered-imaginations-were-recorded-in-their/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd8/thomas-jefferson-43_age_the-fumes-of-the-most-disordered-imagina_178022.jpg) > [Man was destined for society. His morality, therefore, was to be formed to this object. He was endowed with a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-was-destined-for-society-his-morality-therefore-was-to-be-formed/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/56e/thomas-jefferson-43_action_man-was-destined-for-society-his-moralit_570701.jpg) > [Morals were too essential to the happiness of man, to be risked on the uncertain combinations of the head. Nature laid their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/morals-were-too-essential-to-the-happiness-of-man-to-be-risked-on-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2eb/thomas-jefferson-43_character_morals-were-too-essential-to-the-happine_2583437.jpg) ## Other authors on Foundation ## 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/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "ItemList", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/thomas-jefferson/#itemlist", "name": "17 Foundation Quotes By Thomas Jefferson", "numberOfItems": 17, "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any 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To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power not longer susceptible of any definition.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constitution-as-laid-on-this-ground/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/815/thomas-jefferson-43_american-government_i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constit_2381782.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the…” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 15, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The fumes of the most disordered imaginations were recorded in their religious code, as special communications of the Deity; and as it could not but happen that, in the course of ages, events would now and then turn up to which some of these vague rhapsodies might be accommodated by the aid of allegories, figures, types, and other tricks upon words, they have not only preserved their credit with the Jews of all subsequent times, but are the foundation of much of the religions of those who have schismatised from them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-fumes-of-the-most-disordered-imaginations-were-recorded-in-their/", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd8/thomas-jefferson-43_age_the-fumes-of-the-most-disordered-imagina_178022.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd8/thomas-jefferson-43_age_the-fumes-of-the-most-disordered-imagina_178022.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cd8/thomas-jefferson-43_age_the-fumes-of-the-most-disordered-imagina_178022.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The fumes of the most disordered imaginations were recorded in their religious code, as special…” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 16, "item": { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man was destined for society. 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