The interests of a nation, when well understood, will be found to coincide with their moral duties. — 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
I sincerely join you in abjuring all political connection with every foreign power; and tho I cordially wish well to the progress… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The fortune of our lives depends on employing well the short period of our youth. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is rare that the public sentiment decides immorally or unwisely, and the individual who differs from it ought to distrust and… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Truth will do well enough if left to shift for herself. She seldom has received much aid from the power of great… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
History has informed us that bodies of men as well as individuals are susceptible of the spirit of tyranny — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Political dissension is doubtless a less evil than the lethargy of despotism: but still it is a great evil, and it would… — 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
The people are not always well-informed, but is better that they have misconceptions that make them restless than that they be lethargic-for… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The instability of our laws is really an immense evil. I think it would be well to provide in our constitutions that… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man. — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
It is well known, that on the Ohio, and in many parts of America further north, tusks, grinders, and skeletons of unparalleled… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors? Fallible men; men governed by bad passions, by private as well as… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The people cannot be all, and always well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Why suspend the habeas corpus in insurrections and rebellions? Examine the history of England. See how few of the cases of the… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Perfection in wisdom, as well as in integrity, is neither required nor expected in these agents (public servants). It belongs not to… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The happiness of the domestic fireside is the first boon of Heaven; and it is well it is so, since it is… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
Some men look at Constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them, like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.… — Thomas Jefferson Copy Share Image
The same political parties which now agitiate the US have existed through all time. And in fact the terms of whig and… — 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