Ancestor Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Our ancestors ... possessed a right, which nature has given to all men, of departing from the country in which chance, not choice has placed them.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1790
People have a natural right to leave places where they are forced to stay, not by choice.
In simple terms: Freedom to move when forced.
Key Takeaway
Respect the right to relocate.
Themes
freedom
rights
migration
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- immigration policy
- refugee crises
- personal relocation
Key Concepts
natural law
human dignity
Questions to Reflect On
- What circumstances justify forced migration?
- How do societies balance borders and freedom?
A Different Perspective
Legal frameworks may restrict movement.
![“[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)
![“Now they [the Powers] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield to them, I would have no face to see our ancestors after death. If we must perish, why not fight to the death?” quote by Empress Dowager Cixi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/947/empress-dowager-cixi-68177_after-death_now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-agg_53275.jpg)
