Administration Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“It has also been a great solace to me, to believe that you are engaged in vindicating to posterity the course we have pursued for preserving to them, in all their purity, the blessings of self-government, which we had assisted too in acquiring for them. If ever the earth has beheld a system of administration conducted with a single and steadfast eye to the general interest and happiness of those committed to it, one which, protected by truth, can never know reproach, it is that to which our lives have been devoted.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: To James Madison, 1798
Governance should aim for truth‑guided, single‑minded service to the public good, ensuring lasting, pure self‑government.
In simple terms: Serve the public good with truth and dedication.
Key Takeaway
Dedicate life to honest, unified public service.
Themes
politics
ethics
public service
Mood
inspirational
serious
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- Legislative drafting
- civic education
- policy advocacy
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Republicanism
virtue
citizenship
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure truth guides governance?
- What safeguards prevent single‑minded rule?
A Different Perspective
May ignore pluralism, imposing a single vision on diverse societies.
![“[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)
