Freedom Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Independence can be trusted nowhere but with the people in mass. They are inherently independent of all but moral law.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to the French, 1787
Trust in the masses is essential because they embody moral law independent of individual interests.
In simple terms: People are trustworthy when guided by shared moral principles.
Key Takeaway
Rely on collective moral judgment.
Themes
democracy
trust
morality
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political decision making
- community organizing
- public policy
- grassroots movements
Key Concepts
social contract
collective ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure moral law guides public decisions?
- What safeguards protect against collective bias?
A Different Perspective
Masses may lack informed expertise in complex issues.
![“The true fountains of evidence [are] the head and heart of every rational and honest man. It is there nature has written her moral laws, and where every man may read them for himself.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4fc/thomas-jefferson-43_every-man_the-true-fountains-of-evidence-are-the-h_163246.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)
