What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed under the sun? The generalizing and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am conscious that an equal division of property is impracticable, but the consequences of this enormous inequality producing so much misery… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I was dupedby the Secretary of the treasury [Alexander Hamilton], and made a fool for forwarding his schemes, not then sufficiently understood… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, I should not… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reenactments; because a constant hold by the nation of the strings of the public… — 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… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless, by human interposition, disarmed… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever, in religion, in philosophy,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
My reason for fixing them in office for a term of years, rather than for life, was that they might have an… — 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
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
No government can continue good but under the control of the people; and . . . . their minds are to 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
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
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
I deem no government safe which is under the vassalage of any self-constituted authorities, or any other authority than that of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We are endeavoring, too, to reduce the government to the practice of a rigorous economy, to avoid burdening the people, and arming… — 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 wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Truth and reason are eternal. They have prevailed. And they will eternally prevail; however, in times and places they may be overborne… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
That government is best which governs least, because its people discipline themselves. If we are directed from Washington (heads of an organization)… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The foundation on which (our government is) built is the natural equality of man, the denial of every pre-eminence but that annexed… — 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
The First Amendment has created a wall of separation between the church and the State. But that wall is one directional. It… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In every government on earth is some trace of human weakness, some germ of corruption and degeneracy, which cunning will discover, and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If people let government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I have great hope that some patriotic spirit will, at a favorable moment, call (up the law for religious freedom) and make… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
He alone who walks strict and upright, and who, in matters of opinion, will be contented that others should be as free… — 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
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 strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I view great cities as pestilential to the morals, the health and the liberties of man. True, they nourish some of the… — 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
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 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
Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
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 Image
“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 Image
![“I was dupedby the Secretary of the treasury [Alexander Hamilton], and made a fool for forwarding his schemes, not then sufficiently understood by me; and of all the errors of my political life, this has occasioned the deepest regret.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/af1/thomas-jefferson-43_errors_i-was-dupedby-the-secretary-of-the-treas_879787.jpg)
![“[T]he people seem to have deposited the monarchical and taken up the republican government with as much ease as would have attended their throwing off an old and putting on a new suit of clothes.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/124/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_t-he-people-seem-to-have-deposited-the-m_2373138.jpg)
![“It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a02/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_it-is-a-problem-not-clear-in-my-mind-tha_1271770.jpg)
![“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. [Misattributed]” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fb1/thomas-jefferson-43_arms_the-strongest-reason-for-the-people-to-r_951173.jpg)
![“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes [Letter to von Humboldt, 1813].” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cba/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_history-i-believe-furnishes-no-example-o_491860.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)
