Enlightened Quote by Thomas Jefferson
““It is safer to have a whole people respectably enlightened than a few in a high state of science and the many in ignorance.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Adams, 1787
A society is better when most citizens are educated rather than a few elites with knowledge while many remain ignorant.
In simple terms: Educated populace stronger than few experts.
Key Takeaway
Promote broad education.
Themes
education
society
knowledge
equality
Mood
optimistic
concerned
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- public policy
- school curricula
- community programs
- media literacy
Key Concepts
Enlightenment
public good
democratic stability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure education fosters critical thinking?
- What barriers prevent widespread enlightenment?
A Different Perspective
Even educated masses may still lack critical thinking skills.
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![“[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)
