Council Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Perhaps it will be found that to obtain a just republic (and it is to secure our just rights that we resort to government at all) it must be so extensive as that local egoisms may never reach its greater part; that on every particular question, a majority may be found in its councils free from particular interests, and giving, therefore, an uniform prevalence to the principles of justice.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
A just government must be broad enough to prevent local self‑interest from dominating, ensuring decisions are made without partisan bias.
In simple terms: A fair republic needs wide reach to stop local selfishness.
Key Takeaway
Design institutions that limit narrow interests.
Themes
justice
government
public good
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legislative design
- public policy
- community governance
- conflict of interest mitigation
Key Concepts
republicanism
political theory
collective decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance national unity with local autonomy?
- What safeguards prevent over‑centralization?
A Different Perspective
Broad systems can become unwieldy and suppress legitimate local needs.
![“[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)
