Accidents Quote by Thomas Jefferson
““Let us save what remains: not by vaults and locks which fence them from the public eye and use in consigning them to the waste of time, but by such a multiplication of copies, as shall place them beyond the reach of accident.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Jay, 1790
Preserving knowledge through widespread copying protects it from loss and decay
In simple terms: Copying spreads and protects knowledge
Key Takeaway
Copy and share to safeguard ideas
Themes
preservation
knowledge
access
Mood
thoughtful
protective
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- libraries
- digital archives
- education
- historical research
Key Concepts
information theory
redundancy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure copies remain accurate?
- What modern methods replace vaults?
A Different Perspective
Copying alone cannot prevent misuse or distortion
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