Another Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
A government should protect citizens from harming each other while allowing personal economic freedom and not confiscate earned wages.
In simple terms: Government protects from harm but lets people keep their earnings.
Key Takeaway
Ensure laws protect rights without overtaxing labor.
Themes
freedom
government
economics
justice
Mood
thoughtful
balanced
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business ownership
- labor contracts
- tax policy
- social welfare
- entrepreneurship
Key Concepts
liberalism
property rights
individualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we define “injuring one another”?
- What limits should government place on economic activity?
A Different Perspective
Balancing regulation and liberty can be politically contentious.
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![“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)
