No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable for, not the rightness, but the uprightness… — 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
It is an insult to our citizens to question whether they are rational beings or not, and blasphemy against religion to suppose… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I have so much confidence in the good sense of man, and his qualifications for self-government, that I am never afraid of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is as useless to argue with those who have renounced the use of reason as to administer medication to the dead. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
in the spring he will attend your botanical course. his natural turn is very strongly to the objects of your two courses… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[If a book were] very innocent, and one which might be confided to the reason of any man; not likely to be… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The evidence of [the] natural right [of expatriation], like that of our right to life, liberty, the use of our faculties, the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In every country where man is free to think and to speak, difference of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In a free society with a government based on reason, it is inevitable that there will be no uniform opinion about important… — 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
No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We are destined to be a barrier against the return of ignorance and barbarism. Old Europe will have to lean on our… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I like the power given the Legislature to levy taxes, and for that reason solely approve of the greater house being chosen… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We have solved, by fair experiment, the great and interesting question whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is comfortable to see the standard of reason at length erected, after so many ages, during which the human mind has… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Are we to have a censor whose imprimatur shall say what books may be sold, and what we may buy? And who… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error... They are the natural enemies of error, and of error only...… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
When we consider how much climate contributes to the happiness of our condition, by the fine sensation it excites, and the productions… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Every one must act according to the dictates of his own reason, and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
If there be any among us who wish to dissolve the Union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
“And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of… — 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
![“[If a book were] very innocent, and one which might be confided to the reason of any man; not likely to be much read if let alone, but if persecuted, it will be generally read. Every man in the United States will think it a duty to buy a copy, in vindication of his right to buy and to read what he…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ca5/thomas-jefferson-43_book_if-a-book-were-very-innocent-and-one-whi_1766472.jpg)
![“The evidence of [the] natural right [of expatriation], like that of our right to life, liberty, the use of our faculties, the pursuit of happiness, is not left to the feeble and sophistical investigations of reason, but is impressed on the sense of every man. We do not claim these under the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad1/thomas-jefferson-43_charter_the-evidence-of-the-natural-right-of-exp_2308565.jpg)
![“The diffusion of information and the arraignment of all abuses at the bar of public reason, I deem [one of] the essential principles of our government, and consequently [one of] those which ought to shape its administration.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/thomas-jefferson-43_abuse_the-diffusion-of-information-and-the-arr_2602644.jpg)
![“What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth… [Instead] reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments. To make way for these, free enquiry must be indulged; and how can we wish…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a4/thomas-jefferson-43_coercion_what-has-been-the-effect-of-coercion-to_238945.jpg)
![“Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error... They are the natural enemies of error, and of error only... If [free enquiry] be restrained now, the present corruptions will be protected, and new ones encouraged.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/645/thomas-jefferson-43_agents_reason-and-free-inquiry-are-the-only-eff_1546896.jpg)
