Belief Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Our minds were circumscribed within narrow limits by an habitual belief that it was our duty to be subordinate to the mother country.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to John Adams, 1787
Our thinking was confined by a belief that we must obey the mother country, limiting our freedom.
In simple terms: We were taught to be obedient, restricting our minds.
Key Takeaway
Question inherited loyalties.
Themes
politics
freedom
colonialism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- education reform
- citizen activism
- decolonization
Key Concepts
national identity
obedience
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What loyalties limit your thinking?
- How can we foster independent thought?
A Different Perspective
Overcoming ingrained obedience can be difficult.
![“[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)
