Citizenship Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.”
About This Quote
Source Founding Document: The Declaration of Independence, 1776
The ideal is equal rights for every citizen, forming the republic’s foundation.
In simple terms: All citizens should have equal rights.
Key Takeaway
Promote universal equality.
Themes
equality
citizenship
law
Mood
serious
hopeful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- civil rights activism
Key Concepts
human rights
democracy
Questions to Reflect On
- What barriers prevent true equality?
- How can institutions enforce equal rights?
A Different Perspective
Perfect equality is hard to achieve in practice.
![“[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)
