Aristocracy Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“An hereditary aristocracy... will change the form of our governments from the best to the worst in the world.”
About This Quote
A hereditary ruling class will degrade governance, turning the best systems into the worst.
In simple terms: Hereditary rule harms government quality.
Key Takeaway
Guard against inherited power.
Themes
politics
governance
elitism
history
justice
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- policy reform
- education
- civic engagement
- constitutional design
Key Concepts
aristocracy
corruption
social mobility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies prevent power concentration?
- What safeguards protect meritocracy?
A Different Perspective
Hereditary systems can persist despite reforms.
![“[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/033/thomas-jefferson-43_britain_i-n-great-britain-it-is-said-that-their_143406.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)
![“I hope we shall . . . crush in [its] birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c6c/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_i-hope-we-shall-crush-in-its-birth-the-a_1364483.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)
