People Quotes by Thomas Jefferson
All People quotes Thomas Jefferson’s page
Jefferson’s writings often turn to the role of people in shaping a nation. Two hundred one excerpts reveal his Enlightenment‑driven thoughts on liberty, responsibility, and the collective spirit.
![“Though [the people] may acquiesce, they cannot approve what they do not understand.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/02f/thomas-jefferson-43_may_though-the-people-may-acquiesce-they-can_1837065.jpg)
![“[Oppose] with manly firmness [any] invasions on the rights of the people.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/082/thomas-jefferson-43_firmness_oppose-with-manly-firmness-any-invasions_531228.jpg)
![“If there is a gratification which I envy any people in this world it is to your country [Italy] its music. This is the favorite passion of my soul, and fortune has cast my lot in a country where it is in a state of deplorable barbarism.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eab/thomas-jefferson-43_barbarism_if-there-is-a-gratification-which-i-envy_3085595.jpg)
![“I do love this people [the French] with all my heart, and think that with a better religion and a better form of government and their present governors their condition and country would be most enviable.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9d2/thomas-jefferson-43_conditions_i-do-love-this-people-the-french-with-al_1131931.jpg)
![“Our [Virginia's] act for freedom of religion is extremely applauded. The Ambassadors and ministers of the several nations of Europe resident at this court have asked me copies of it to send to their sovereigns, and it is inserted at full length in several books now in the press; among others, in…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/508/thomas-jefferson-43_ambassadors_our-virginia-s-act-for-freedom-of-religi_2603800.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)
