Tyranny Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.

— Thomas Jefferson

A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.

— Thomas Jefferson

I have sworn upon the altar of god.

— Thomas Jefferson

Rebellion to tyranny is obedience to God.

— Thomas Jefferson

I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man.

— Thomas Jefferson

Resisting tyranny is obeying God

— Thomas Jefferson

“When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Dependence begets subservience and paves the way for tyranny.

— Thomas Jefferson

I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

— Thomas Jefferson

Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.

— Thomas Jefferson

Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.

— Thomas Jefferson

When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is liberty.

— Thomas Jefferson

I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.

— Thomas Jefferson

History has informed us that bodies of men as well as individuals are susceptible of the spirit of tyranny

— Thomas Jefferson

The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us.

— Thomas Jefferson

The issuing power [of money] should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.

— Thomas Jefferson

Does the government fear us? Or do we fear the government? When the people fear the government, tyranny has found victory. The…

— Thomas Jefferson

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations,…

— Thomas Jefferson

If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as…

— Thomas Jefferson

If science produces no better fruits than tyranny... I would rather wish our country to be ignorant, honest and estimable as our…

— Thomas Jefferson

The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to…

— Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against…

— Thomas Jefferson

“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and opressions of the body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of…

— Thomas Jefferson

If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all…

— Thomas Jefferson

It [appears] that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their…

— Thomas Jefferson

Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a…

— Thomas Jefferson

I have sworn upon the altar of God Eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man", "I have…

— Thomas Jefferson

The most effectual means of preventing the perversion of power into tyranny are to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of…

— Thomas Jefferson

To lay taxes to provide for the general welfare of the United States, that is to say, 'to lay taxes for the…

— Thomas Jefferson

By a declaration of rights, I mean one which shall stipulate freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce against…

— Thomas Jefferson

The clergy ... believe that any portion of power confided to me [as President] will be exerted in opposition to their schemes.…

— Thomas Jefferson

I recoil with horror at the ferociousness of man. Will nations never devise a more rational umpire of differences than force? Are…

— Thomas Jefferson

Convinced that the republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights…

— Thomas Jefferson

Law is often the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.

— Thomas Jefferson

A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!

— Thomas Jefferson

The unsuccessful strugglers against tyranny have been the chief martyrs of treason laws in all countries.

— Thomas Jefferson

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

The fore horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follow that, and in its turn wretchedness and oppression.

— Thomas Jefferson

The most effective means of preventing tyranny is to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and…

— Thomas Jefferson

The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us. It is better to keep…

— Thomas Jefferson