Ancient Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“His system of morality was the most benevolent and sublime probably that has been ever taught, and consequently more perfect than those of any of the ancient philosophers... He was the most innocent, the most benevolent, the most eloquent and sublime character that ever has been exhibited to man.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1790
He praises an ideal moral system as supremely benevolent and perfect, surpassing ancient philosophers, and describes a person embodying innocence, kindness, eloquence, and sublimity.
In simple terms: Ideal moral system is supreme and surpasses ancient thought.
Key Takeaway
Seek to embody kindness and eloquence.
Themes
morality
virtue
philosophy
humanity
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal development
- leadership
- ethical education
- community building
Key Concepts
benevolence
innocence
eloquence
perfection
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we apply such high moral standards today?
- What limits human perfection?
A Different Perspective
Such lofty ideals may be unrealistic in practice.
![“The Christian religion, when divested of the rags in which they [the clergy] have enveloped it, and brought to the original purity and simplicity of it's benevolent institutor, is a religion of all others most friendly to liberty, science, and the freest expansion of the human mind.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8e7/thomas-jefferson-43_benevolent_the-christian-religion-when-divested-of_1371700.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)
