Free Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“no people can be both ignorant and free.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
Ignorance and freedom cannot coexist; knowledge is prerequisite for true liberty.
In simple terms: Freedom needs knowledge.
Key Takeaway
Seek education to be free.
Themes
freedom
knowledge
politics
Mood
thoughtful
critical
inspirational
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- voting
- civic engagement
- public discourse
- policy making
Key Concepts
civil rights
enlightenment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does education affect personal freedom?
- Can a society be free if many are uninformed?
A Different Perspective
Ignorance may be tolerated in some contexts, but true freedom is compromised.
![“[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)
