Artificial Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“State a moral case to a plowman and a professor. The former will decide it as well, and often better than the latter, because he has not been led astray by artificial rules.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
A farmer can judge morality more soundly than a scholar because he follows practical experience rather than abstract rules.
In simple terms: Practical people may judge right better than scholars.
Key Takeaway
Value lived experience over theory.
Themes
ethics
practical wisdom
class
education
common sense
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- rural community decisions
- academic policy debates
- personal moral choices
Key Concepts
empiricism
moral intuition
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How does practical experience shape moral judgments?
- When might scholarly analysis be necessary?
A Different Perspective
May overlook complex ethical nuances that require systematic analysis.
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![“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)
