Government Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“A republican government is slow to move, yet when once in motion, its momentum becomes irresistible.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to John Adams, 1790
Government action can be sluggish, but once initiated, it gains unstoppable force.
In simple terms: Slow start, then unstoppable momentum.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and harness political momentum.
Themes
politics
government
change
momentum
leadership
Mood
cautious
determined
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- legislative reform
- social movements
- crisis response
Key Concepts
institutional inertia
policy implementation
collective action
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance careful deliberation with decisive action?
- When should momentum be slowed?
A Different Perspective
Momentum can lead to unintended consequences if unchecked.
![“[A]lthough a republican government is slow to move, yet when once in motion, its momentum becomes irresistible.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9e5/thomas-jefferson-43_government_a-lthough-a-republican-government-is-slo_2166652.jpg)
![“He [Washington] has often declared to me that he considered our new constitution as an experiment on the practicability of republican government, and with what dose of liberty man could be trusted for his own good; that he was determined the experiment should have a fair trial, and would lose the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcd/thomas-jefferson-43_blood_he-washington-has-often-declared-to-me-t_2416809.jpg)
![“[T]he people seem to have deposited the monarchical and taken up the republican government with as much ease as would have attended their throwing off an old and putting on a new suit of clothes.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/124/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_t-he-people-seem-to-have-deposited-the-m_2373138.jpg)
![“I considered 4 of these bills [of the revised code of Virginia] as forming a system by which every fibre would be eradicated of antient or future aristocracy; and a foundation laid for a government truly republican.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/87a/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_i-considered-4-of-these-bills-of-the-rev_1443307.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)
