Choices Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Resolved ... that it would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence in the men of our choice to silence our fears for the safety of our rights: that confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism — free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence;”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to James Madison, 1787
Overreliance on trust in leaders can breed tyranny; vigilance and healthy skepticism protect liberty.
In simple terms: Blind trust leads to despotism; stay wary.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical oversight of authority.
Themes
politics
power
liberty
Mood
cautious
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government decisions
- public policy
- citizen activism
Key Concepts
social contract
checks and balances
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance trust and scrutiny?
- What safeguards prevent despotism?
A Different Perspective
Confidence without accountability can enable abuse.
![“[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)
