Example Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“I have ever deemed it more honorable and more profitable, too, to set a good example than to follow a bad one.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Adams, 1787
Choosing to act virtuously is more rewarding than merely avoiding vice.
In simple terms: Being good is better than copying bad behavior.
Key Takeaway
Lead by example.
Themes
integrity
leadership
morality
Mood
inspirational
reflective
Type
moral
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- political leadership
- community building
Key Concepts
Virtue ethics
social influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model integrity when others act poorly?
- What rewards come from setting a positive example?
A Different Perspective
Good example may be ignored by those entrenched in bad habits.
![“Where the principle of difference [between political parties] is as substantial and as strongly pronounced as between the republicans and the monocrats of our country, I hold it as honorable to take a firm and decided part and as immoral to pursue a middle line, as between the parties of honest…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00d/thomas-jefferson-43_country_where-the-principle-of-difference-betwee_1164575.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)
