Self-government Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

All power is inherent in the people.

— Thomas Jefferson

Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.

— Thomas Jefferson

Ignorance and bigotry, like other insanities, are incapable of self-government.

— Thomas Jefferson

the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.

— Thomas Jefferson

The right of self-government does not comprehend the government of others.

— Thomas Jefferson

The present generation has the same right of self-government which the past one has exercised for itself.

— Thomas Jefferson

It should be remembered, as an axiom of eternal truth in politics, that whatever power in any government is independent, is absolute…

— Thomas Jefferson

May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of self-government.

— Thomas Jefferson

We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can…

— Thomas Jefferson

No one, I hope, can doubt my wish to see... all mankind exercising self-government, and capable of exercising it. But the question…

— Thomas Jefferson

[We should be] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government...…

— Thomas Jefferson

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

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

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

— Thomas Jefferson

My most earnest wish is to see the republican element of popular control pushed to the maximum of its practicable exercise. I…

— Thomas Jefferson

The rights of the people to the exercise and fruits of their own industry can never be protected against the selfishness of…

— Thomas Jefferson

An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently…

— Thomas Jefferson

It has also been a great solace to me, to believe that you are engaged in vindicating to posterity the course we…

— Thomas Jefferson

Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of self-government, we see in the rising generation, into whose hands it is passing, that…

— Thomas Jefferson

Every man, and every body of men on earth, possesses the right of self-government. They receive it with their being from the…

— Thomas Jefferson

May [our Declaration of Independence] be to the world, what I believe it will be (to some parts sooner, to others later,…

— Thomas Jefferson

We established however some, although not all its [self-government] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all…

— Thomas Jefferson

A first attempt to recover the right of self government may fail, so may a second, a third, etc. But as a…

— Thomas Jefferson

We exist, and are quoted, as standing proofs that a government, so modeled as to rest continually on the will of the…

— Thomas Jefferson

I rejoice when I hear of young men of virtue and talents, worthy to receive and likely to preserve the splendid inheritance…

— Thomas Jefferson