Able Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be ... The People cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to John Adams, 1798
Freedom requires an informed citizenry; ignorance undermines liberty and safety.
In simple terms: Freedom needs informed people.
Key Takeaway
Stay informed, support free press.
Themes
freedom
information
citizenry
press
safety
Mood
concerned
hopeful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- community meetings
- reading news
- public debates
- educational programs
Key Concepts
democracy
civic responsibility
media literacy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does misinformation affect public trust?
- What role should education play in safeguarding liberty?
A Different Perspective
If information is controlled, freedom can be illusionary.
![“[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)
