Principles Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

— Thomas Jefferson

God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men.

— Thomas Jefferson

Our principles are founded on the immovable basis of equal right and reason.

— Thomas Jefferson

It is my principle that the will of the majority should always prevail.

— Thomas Jefferson

Money, not morality, constitutes the principle of commercial nations.

— Thomas Jefferson

Style like current principle like a rock

— Thomas Jefferson

Principle will, in... most... cases open the way for us to correct conclusion.

— Thomas Jefferson

But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.

— Thomas Jefferson

We ought not to schismatize on either men or measures. Principles alone can justify that.

— Thomas Jefferson

The purpose of establishing different houses of legislation is to introduce the influence of different interests or different principles.

— Thomas Jefferson

the boys of the rising generation are to be the men of the next, and the sole guardians of the principles we…

— Thomas Jefferson

The several states composing the United States of America are not united on the principle of unlimited submission to their general government

— Thomas Jefferson

The best commentary on the principles of government which has ever been written.

— Thomas Jefferson

Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to God alone.

— Thomas Jefferson

This I hope will be the age of experiments in government, and that their basis will be founded in principles of honesty,…

— Thomas Jefferson

Above all I hope that the education of the common people will be attended to so they won't forget the basic principles…

— Thomas Jefferson

Though written constitutions may be violated in moments of passion or delusion, yet they furnish a text to which those who are…

— Thomas Jefferson

No government can be maintained without the principle of fear as well as duty. Good men will obey the last, but bad…

— Thomas Jefferson

On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have…

— Thomas Jefferson

My principles, and those always received by the republicans, do not admit to removing any person from office merely for a difference…

— Thomas Jefferson

The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential…

— Thomas Jefferson

If the game runs sometimes against us at home we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an…

— Thomas Jefferson

It behooves our citizens to be on their guard, to be firm in their principles, and full of confidence in themselves. We…

— Thomas Jefferson

It has been thought that the people are not competent electors of judges learned in the law. But I do not know…

— Thomas Jefferson

An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on true free principles,…

— Thomas Jefferson

I do verily believe that if the principle were to prevail of a common law being in force in the United States…

— Thomas Jefferson

We have solved, by fair experiment, the great and interesting question whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government and…

— Thomas Jefferson

It astonishes me to find... [that so many] of our countrymen... should be contented to live under a system which leaves to…

— Thomas Jefferson

The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction; that to suffer the civil magistrate to…

— Thomas Jefferson

I join cordially in admiring and revering the Constitution of the United States, the result of the collected wisdom of our country.…

— Thomas Jefferson

Political dissension is doubtless a less evil than the lethargy of despotism: but still it is a great evil, and it would…

— Thomas Jefferson

[Emigrants] will bring with them the principles of the governments they leave, imbibed in their early youth; or, if able to throw…

— Thomas Jefferson

The Central Bank is an institution of the most deadly hostility existing against the principles and form of our Constitution.

— Thomas Jefferson

If there be one principle more deeply rooted than any other in the mind of every American, it is, that we should…

— Thomas Jefferson

The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.

— Thomas Jefferson

Everything is useful which contributes to fix the principles and practices of virtue.

— Thomas Jefferson

Every honest man will suppose honest acts to flow from honest principles, and the rogues may rail without intermission.

— Thomas Jefferson

I apprehend... that the total abandonment of the principle of rotation in the offices of President and Senator will end in abuse.

— Thomas Jefferson

The selfish spirit of commerce, which knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain.

— Thomas Jefferson

The art of governing consists simply of being honest, exercising common sense, following principle, and doing what is right and just.

— Thomas Jefferson