Abuse Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“My confidence is that there will for a long time be virtue and good sense enough in our countrymen to correct abuses.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to James Madison, 1790
He trusts that citizens possess enough virtue and reason to address injustices.
In simple terms: Virtue and reason will correct abuses.
Key Takeaway
Promote civic virtue and rational discourse.
Themes
citizenship
virtue
justice
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
historical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public policy
- community activism
- legal reform
Key Concepts
political philosophy
ethics
civic duty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster virtue?
- What role does education play in preventing abuse?
A Different Perspective
Assumes universal virtue, which may be inconsistent.
![“[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)
