Endless Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“One single object . . . [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/934/thomas-jefferson-43_endless_one-single-object-will-merit-the-endless_340610.jpg)
“One single object . . . [will merit] the endless gratitude of the society: that of restraining the judges from usurping legislation.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1791
A single legal safeguard can protect society from judicial overreach and preserve liberty.
In simple terms: One law can keep judges from making laws.
Key Takeaway
Guard legislative authority against judicial expansion.
Themes
law
freedom
checks and balances
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
political
legal
When to use this quote
- government policy
- legal reform
- civic education
- court decisions
Key Concepts
constitutional theory
judicial restraint
Questions to Reflect On
- How should societies enforce this safeguard?
- What risks arise if judges are overly restrained?
A Different Perspective
Balancing power may be complex in practice.
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![“It may seem ironic that the judicial branch preserves its legitimacy through refraining from action on political questions. That concept was put forward best by Justice [Felix] Frankfurter, appointed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.” quote by Sam Brownback](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e62/sam-brownback-11107_action_it-may-seem-ironic-that-the-judicial-bra_1125214.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)
