Grants Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, 1790s
A call for leaders of strong moral character to guide the nation.
In simple terms: Principles should guide leadership.
Key Takeaway
Choose leaders with integrity.
Themes
ethics
leadership
politics
Mood
thoughtful
hopeful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government formation
- political appointments
- citizen voting
Key Concepts
virtue
public service
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a principled leader today?
- How can citizens enforce principled leadership?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may clash with real‑world politics.
![“[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)
