Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government… — 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
[We should be] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government...… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A judiciary independent of a king or executive alone, is a good thing; but independence of the will of the nation is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest. Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
They are exactly the persons who are to succeed to the government of our country and to rule its future enmities, its… — 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
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
If, in my retirement to the humble station of a private citizen, I am accompanied with the esteem and approbation of my… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as… — 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 germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
No government can continue good but under the control of the people; and . . . . their minds are to be… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore . . . never… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Unless the mass retains sufficient control over those entrusted with the powers of their government, these will be perverted to their own… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If virtuous, the government need not fear the fair operation of attack and defense. Nature has given to man no other means… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
What country can preserve its liberties if its rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the]… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Religion, morality, and knowledge are necessary for good government... Therefore schools and the means of educating the people should always be encouraged. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
No one, I hope, can doubt my wish to see... all mankind exercising self-government, and capable of exercising it. But the question… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man. . . . [are] the sole objects of all legitimate… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The concentrating of powers in the same hands is precisely the definition of despotic government. It will be no alleviation that these… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I considered 4 of these bills [of the revised code of Virginia] as forming a system by which every fibre would be… — 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
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
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is a wise rule and should be fundamental in a government disposed to cherish its credit, and at the same time… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
By nature's law, every man has a right to seize and retake by force his own property taken from him by another,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It has also been a great solace to me, to believe that you are engaged in vindicating to posterity the course we… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The country is headed toward a single and splendid government of an aristocracy founded on banking institutions and moneyed incorporations and if… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If, then, the control of the people over the organs of their government be the measure of its republicanism, and I confess… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed… — 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
![“[We should be] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government... in which alone we see liberty, safety and happiness.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/afb/thomas-jefferson-43_determined_we-should-be-determined-to-sever-ourselv_2791539.jpg)
![“Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/042/thomas-jefferson-43_ends_whenever-any-form-of-government-becomes_2626939.jpg)
![“[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore . . . never to see all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought and sold at market.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/thomas-jefferson-43_concern_t-he-states-can-best-govern-our-home-con_638091.jpg)
![“To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the] functions of the General Government on which [our citizens] have a right to call.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d09/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_to-draw-around-the-whole-nation-the-stre_130273.jpg)
![“The main objects of all science, the freedom and happiness of man. . . . [are] the sole objects of all legitimate government. A plaque with this quotation, with the first phrase omitted, is in the stairwell of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a78/thomas-jefferson-43_firsts_the-main-objects-of-all-science-the-free_1587799.jpg)
![“I considered 4 of these bills [of the revised code of Virginia] as forming a system by which every fibre would be eradicated of antient or future aristocracy; and a foundation laid for a government truly republican.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87a/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_i-considered-4-of-these-bills-of-the-rev_1443307.jpg)
