Easy Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The second office in the government is honorable and easy; the first is but a splendid misery.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Personal correspondence, Thomas Jefferson, 1795
The second government office is easier and respectable, while the first is a burdensome but glorious duty.
In simple terms: First office is hard but noble; second is comfortable.
Key Takeaway
Accept challenges as honorable service.
Themes
public service
duty
honor
burden
comfort
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- elected office
- civil service
- military command
Key Concepts
civic responsibility
political philosophy
career choice
Questions to Reflect On
- What motivates you to take on a difficult role?
- How do you balance honor with personal comfort?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may clash with reality.
![“[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)
