Confidence Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power.”
About This Quote
The quote argues that governments arise from fear of power abuse rather than trust, leading to constraints that limit authority to protect the public.
In simple terms: Governments stem from fear, not trust.
Key Takeaway
Limited constitutions guard against tyranny.
Themes
political philosophy
trust vs. fear
government legitimacy
constitutional limits
social contract
Mood
cautious
critical
reflective
Type
maxim
political observation
When to use this quote
- drafting a constitution
- debating civil liberties
- designing checks and balances
- evaluating authoritarian tendencies
Key Concepts
jealousy
confidence
power
trust
Practical Applications
- constitutional drafting
- policy analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- Why might fear be a more reliable motivator for safeguards than trust?
- How does this view shape the balance between security and liberty?
![“[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)
