Calamity Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The greatest calamity which could befall us would be submission to a government of unlimited powers.”
About This Quote
Source Writings: Letter to John Taylor, 1800
Excessive governmental power threatens liberty and can lead to oppression.
In simple terms: Unlimited power harms freedom.
Key Takeaway
Guard against overreaching authority.
Themes
freedom
government
power
rights
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting
- civic engagement
- policy advocacy
- legal challenges
Key Concepts
political philosophy
libertarianism
checks and balances
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance security and liberty?
- When is government authority justified?
A Different Perspective
Power can be justified in emergencies, limiting absolute freedom.
![“[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)
