Aristocracy Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“An occasional insurrection will not weigh against the inconveniences of a government of force, such as are monarchies and aristocracies.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: to James Madison, 1795
An occasional rebellion is a minor inconvenience compared to the oppression of a forced government like monarchies.
In simple terms: Rebellion is less harmful than tyrannical rule.
Key Takeaway
Question authority when it becomes oppressive.
Themes
politics
rebellion
government
freedom
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- authoritarian regimes
- citizen protest
- political reform
- historical revolutions
Key Concepts
social contract
civil disobedience
Questions to Reflect On
- When is rebellion justified?
- What are peaceful alternatives?
A Different Perspective
Rebellions can cause instability and unintended harm.
![“[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)
