The chief purpose of government is to protect life. Abandon that and you have abandoned all. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The second office in the government is honorable and easy; the first is but a splendid misery. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If I had to choose between government and a free press, I would choose a free press. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subject… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he people seem to have deposited the monarchical and taken up the republican government with as much ease as would have attended… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The cement of this union is in the heart blood of every American. I do not believe there is on earth a… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
He [Washington] has often declared to me that he considered our new constitution as an experiment on the practicability of republican government,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I consider the government of the United States as interdicted by the Constitution from intermeddling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Civil government being the sole object of forming societies, its administration must be conducted by common consent. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
With all the defects in our Constitution, whether general or particular, the comparison of our government with those of Europe, is like… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It will be said that great societies cannot exist without government. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is not the policy of the government in America to give aid to works of any kind. They let things take… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves ; and if we think them… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The natural aristocracy I consider as the most precious gift of nature for the instruction, the trusts, and government of society. And… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The people are the ultimate guardians of their own liberties. In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“That liberty [is pure] which is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone. (to Horatio Gates, 1798)” — 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
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