Country Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“If science produces no better fruits than tyranny... I would rather wish our country to be ignorant, honest and estimable as our neighbouring savages are.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Adams, 1790
Jefferson argues that ignorance paired with honesty can be preferable to a corrupt, tyrannical society.
In simple terms: Ignorant honesty may be better than corrupt knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Value integrity over false sophistication.
Themes
politics
ethics
knowledge
ignorance
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- government reform
- education policy
- public discourse
- media literacy
Key Concepts
philosophy
political theory
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Is honesty enough without knowledge?
- Can a society thrive without critical thinking?
A Different Perspective
Idealizing ignorance ignores the benefits of informed citizenry.
![“[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)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
