Fanaticism Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, [then and only then will truth]prevail over fanaticism.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a6/thomas-jefferson-43_fanaticism_if-the-freedom-of-religion-guaranteed-to_2621026.jpg)
“If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, [then and only then will truth]prevail over fanaticism.”
About This Quote
Religious freedom must be practiced despite public opinion’s pressure; only then can truth overcome fanaticism.
In simple terms: Truth prevails when religious freedom is practiced despite public pressure.
Key Takeaway
Defend religious liberty.
Themes
religion
freedom
truth
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- law
- social movements
- human rights
- education
Key Concepts
public opinion
fanaticism
legal theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies protect minority beliefs?
- What role does law play in safeguarding truth?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate the power of entrenched societal biases.
![“I had no idea, however, that in Pennsylvania, the cradle of toleration and freedom of religion, it [fanaticism] could have arisen to the height you describe. This must be owing to the growth of Presbyterianism. The blasphemy of the five points of Calvin, and the impossibility of defending them…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c6e/thomas-jefferson-43_blasphemy_i-had-no-idea-however-that-in-pennsylvan_2564008.jpg)
![“Our [Virginia's] act for freedom of religion is extremely applauded. The Ambassadors and ministers of the several nations of Europe resident at this court have asked me copies of it to send to their sovereigns, and it is inserted at full length in several books now in the press; among others, in…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/508/thomas-jefferson-43_ambassadors_our-virginia-s-act-for-freedom-of-religi_2603800.jpg)
![“It astonishes me to find... [that so many] of our countrymen... should be contented to live under a system which leaves to their governors the power of taking from them the trial by jury in civil cases, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce, the habeas corpus laws, and of…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d2e/thomas-jefferson-43_army_it-astonishes-me-to-find-that-so-many-of_1421509.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)
![“[Friedrich] Nietzsche said something marvellous, he said "Madness is not a consequence of uncertainty but of certainty", and this is fanaticism.” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c8e/elie-wiesel-341_certainty_friedrich-nietzsche-said-something-marve_89498.jpg)