Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Reading, reflection and time have convinced me that the interests of society require the observation of those moral precepts only in which… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Honesty and interest are as intimately connected in the public as in the private code of morality. — 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
[A] spirit of justice and friendly accomodation...is our duty and our interest to cultivate with all nations. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The purpose of establishing different houses of legislation is to introduce the influence of different interests or different principles. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
How soon the labor of men would make a paradise of the earth were it not for misgovernment and a diversion of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
By [the] operations [of public improvement] new channels of communication will be opened between the States; the lines of separation will disappear,… — 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
The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their… — 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
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
The interests of the States... ought to be made joint in every possible instance in order to cultivate the idea of our… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It should be our endeavor to cultivate the peace and friendship of every nation . . . . Our interest will be… — 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
Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Of the various executive abilities, no one excited more anxious concern than that of placing the interests of our fellow-citizens in the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Never was so much false arithmetic employed on any subject, as that which has been employed to persuade nations that it is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. Enable them to see that it is their interest to preserve peace and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The interests of a nation, when well understood, will be found to coincide with their moral duties. — 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
The man who loves his country on its own account, and not merely for its trappings of interest or power, can never… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
There are two amendments only which I am anxious for: 1. A bill of rights, which it is so much the interest… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Political interest [can] never be separated in the long run from moral right. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independant, the most virtuous, and they… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am not myself apt to be alarmed at innovations recommended by reason. That dread belongs to those whose interests or prejudices… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I feel a much greater interest in knowing what has passed two or three thousand years ago, than in what is now… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A system of general instruction, which shall reach every description of our citizens, from the richest to the poorest, as it was… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Reading, reflection and time have convinced me that the interests of society require the observation of those moral precepts only in which… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Perhaps it will be found that to obtain a just republic (and it is to secure our just rights that we resort… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Instead of an aristocracy of wealth, of more harm and danger than benefit to society, to make an opening for the aristocracy… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
And say, finally, whether peace is best preserved by giving energy to the government or information to the people. This last is… — 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
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
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
![“[A] spirit of justice and friendly accomodation...is our duty and our interest to cultivate with all nations.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a93/thomas-jefferson-43_duty_a-spirit-of-justice-and-friendly-accomod_794646.jpg)
![“By [the] operations [of public improvement] new channels of communication will be opened between the States; the lines of separation will disappear, their interests will be identified, and their union cemented by new and indissoluble ties.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7e/thomas-jefferson-43_communication_by-the-operations-of-public-improvement_656637.jpg)
![“The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their union, and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise; and if they see their interest in separating why should we take sides? God bless them both, and keep them in union if…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d56/thomas-jefferson-43_bless_the-future-inhabitants-of-both-the-atlan_1303483.jpg)
![“I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved. But whensoever hostile aggressions on these require a resort to war, we must meet our duty and convince the world that we are just friends and brave enemies.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f27/thomas-jefferson-43_aggression_i-am-ever-unwilling-that-peace-should-be_563504.jpg)
![“Political interest [can] never be separated in the long run from moral right.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba5/thomas-jefferson-43_character_political-interest-can-never-be-separate_2925329.jpg)
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
