Body Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“If [God] has made it a law in the nature of man to pursue his own happiness, He has left him free in the choice of place as well as mode, and we may safely call on the whole body of English jurists to produce the map on which nature has traced for each individual the geographical line which she…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/808/thomas-jefferson-43_body_if-god-has-made-it-a-law-in-the-nature-o_2482448.jpg)
“If [God] has made it a law in the nature of man to pursue his own happiness, He has left him free in the choice of place as well as mode, and we may safely call on the whole body of English jurists to produce the map on which nature has traced for each individual the geographical line which she forbids him to cross in pursuit of happiness.”
About This Quote
Source Writings: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
Human nature seeks happiness, but society imposes limits on where and how it can be pursued.
In simple terms: People want happiness but face legal boundaries.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and respect personal freedom within societal limits.
Themes
freedom
law
human nature
happiness
societal limits
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal reform
- personal decision making
- urban planning
- human rights advocacy
Key Concepts
natural rights
social contract
geographical constraints
Questions to Reflect On
- How do laws shape personal happiness?
- When should society limit individual pursuit of happiness?
A Different Perspective
Legal constraints may conflict with individual aspirations.
![“[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)
![“I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests with ZERO-G [a charter-flight service in Arlington, Va., that uses modified Boeing 727s to simulate weightlessness], which went great.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa1/richard-branson-256_adventure_i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-repl_903.jpg)
