Government Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The States should be left to do whatever acts they can do as well as the general government.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Advice to the Virginia Ratifying Convention, 1788
The quote suggests that the federal government should handle matters it can, while states retain authority over other issues.
In simple terms: Federal and state powers should be balanced.
Key Takeaway
Respect jurisdictional limits.
Themes
government
federalism
states rights
Mood
analytical
political
Type
prescriptive
historical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- legislative debates
- public administration
Key Concepts
division of power
limited government
cooperative federalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What issues belong to federal vs. state?
- How can cooperation be improved?
A Different Perspective
Balancing authority can be contentious and politically charged.
![“To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the] functions of the General Government on which [our citizens] have a right to call.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d09/thomas-jefferson-43_barriers_to-draw-around-the-whole-nation-the-stre_130273.jpg)
![“[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)
