That the several states who formed that instrument, being sovereign and independent, have the unquestionable right to judge of its infraction; and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
By... [selecting] the youths of genius from among the classes of the poor, we hope to avail the State of those talents… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In the middle ages of Christianity opposition to the State opinions was hushed. The consequence was, Christianity became loaded with all the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The example of changing a constitution by assembling the wise men of the state, instead of assembling armies, will be worth as… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
But, you may ask, if the two departments [i.e., federal and state] should claim each the same subject of power, where is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
With respect to our State and federal governments, I do not think their relations correctly understood by foreigners. They generally suppose the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
We shall divert through our own Country a branch of commerce which the European States have thought worthy of the most important… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The inhabitants of the ceded territory shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States, and admitted as soon as possible,… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Whenever there are in any country uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is (our) duty . . . to pay especial attention to the principles of government which shall be inculcated therein (at… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Every State has a natural right in cases not within the compact (casus non faederis) to nullify of their own authority all… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The history of his present majesty, is a history of unremitting injuries and usurpationsall of which have in direct object the establishment… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion... We have had thirteen States independent for eleven years. There… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The following [addition to the Bill of Rights] would have pleased me: The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
this last establishment will probably be within a mile of Charlottesville, and four from Monticello, if the system should be adopted at… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The germ of dissolution of our federal government is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body, (for impeachment is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The judiciary of the United States is the subtle corps of sappers and miners constantly working under ground to undermine the foundations… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
For the power given to Congress by the Constitution does not extend to the internal regulation of the commerce of a State… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The impious presumption of legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, and that they are not safe unless enlightened to… — 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
The States should be watchful to note every material usurpation on their rights; to denounce them as they occur in the most… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
In the fevered state of our country, no good can ever result from any attempt to set one of these fiery zealots… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The construction applied . . . to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power .… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The principles on which we engaged, of which the charter of our independence is the record, were sanctioned by the laws of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
But a short time elapsed after the death of the great reformer of the Jewish religion, before his principles were departed from… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I deplore with you the putrid state into which our newspapers have passed, and the malignity, the vulgarity, and mendacious spirit of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The tumults in America I expected would have produced in Europe an unfavorable opinion of our political state. But it has not.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
A country whose buildings are of wood, can never increase in its improvements to any considerable degree… Whereas when buildings are of… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore . . . never… — 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 constitution of most of the states (and of the United States) assert that all power is inherent in the people; that… — 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
![“By... [selecting] the youths of genius from among the classes of the poor, we hope to avail the State of those talents which nature has sown as liberally among the poor as the rich, but which perish without use if not sought for and cultivated.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/952/thomas-jefferson-43_class_by-selecting-the-youths-of-genius-from-a_932967.jpg)
![“But, you may ask, if the two departments [i.e., federal and state] should claim each the same subject of power, where is the common umpire to decide ultimately between them? In cases of little importance or urgency, the prudence of both parties will keep them aloof from the questionable ground…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d33/thomas-jefferson-43_aloof_but-you-may-ask-if-the-two-departments-i_1638614.jpg)
![“The future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their union, and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise; and if they see their interest in separating why should we take sides? God bless them both, and keep them in union if…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d56/thomas-jefferson-43_bless_the-future-inhabitants-of-both-the-atlan_1303483.jpg)
![“The following [addition to the Bill of Rights] would have pleased me: The people shall not be deprived or abridged of their right to speak, to write, or otherwise to publish anything but false facts affecting injuriously the life, liberty or reputation of others, or affecting the peace of the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a40/thomas-jefferson-43_bill-of-rights_the-following-addition-to-the-bill-of-ri_638662.jpg)
![“[T]he States can best govern our home concerns and the general government our foreign ones. I wish, therefore . . . never to see all offices transferred to Washington, where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they may more secretly be bought and sold at market.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6ea/thomas-jefferson-43_concern_t-he-states-can-best-govern-our-home-con_638091.jpg)
![“[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/img-quotes/ca5/thomas-jefferson-43_book_if-a-book-were-very-innocent-and-one-whi_1766472.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)
