Government Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“It will be said that great societies cannot exist without government.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1795
Societies rely on government structures to maintain order and provide public goods.
In simple terms: Governments enable societal function.
Key Takeaway
Support effective governance.
Themes
politics
society
government
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- public services
- law enforcement
- infrastructure
Key Concepts
Social contract theory
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- What role should citizens play?
- How to ensure government accountability?
A Different Perspective
Government can become oppressive.
![“It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a02/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_it-is-a-problem-not-clear-in-my-mind-tha_1271770.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)
