Democracies have Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves.”
About This Quote
Source Document: Declaration of Independence, 1776
Law protects against external harm but cannot prevent self‑inflicted damage.
In simple terms: External laws can't stop self‑harm.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate self‑awareness and personal responsibility.
Themes
responsibility
self‑control
law
injury
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal health
- financial decisions
- relationship boundaries
- mental health management
Key Concepts
ethics
psychology
autonomy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you protect yourself from your own mistakes?
- What habits reduce self‑inflicted harm?
A Different Perspective
Self‑control is often weaker than external enforcement.
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![“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)
