Action Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“To all of which is added a selection from the elementary schools of subjects of the most promising genius, whose parents are too poor to give them further education, to be carried at the public expense through the college and university. The object is to bring into action that mass of talents which lies buried in poverty in every country, for want of the means of development, and thus give activity to a mass of mind, which, in proportion to our population, shall be double or treble of what it is in most countries.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to James Madison, 1795
A proposal to fund education for talented but impoverished children, turning hidden potential into national strength.
In simple terms: Support poor gifted youth through public education.
Key Takeaway
Invest in talent, boost society.
Themes
education
social mobility
talent development
equality
public policy
Mood
optimistic
determined
visionary
Type
policy
advocacy
inspirational
When to use this quote
- scholarships
- public schools
- talent identification
- community outreach
- policy reform
Key Concepts
human capital
meritocracy
social investment
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies identify hidden talent fairly?
- What mechanisms ensure sustained support?
A Different Perspective
Funding may be limited and political opposition can hinder implementation.
![“No religious reading, instruction or exercise, shall be prescribed or practiced [in the elementary schools] inconsistent with the tenets of any religious sect or denomination.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eaa/thomas-jefferson-43_christianity_no-religious-reading-instruction-or-exer_3186938.jpg)
![“I... [proposed] three distinct grades of education, reaching all classes. 1. Elementary schools for all children generally, rich and poor. 2. Colleges for a middle degree of instruction, calculated for the common purposes of life and such as should be desirable for all who were in easy…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/246/thomas-jefferson-43_children_i-proposed-three-distinct-grades-of-educ_2306767.jpg)
![“Ministers of the Gospel are excluded [from serving as Visitors of the county Elementary Schools] to avoid jealousy from the other sects, were the public education committed to the ministers of a particular one; and with more reason than in the case of their exclusion from the legislative and…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/760/thomas-jefferson-43_cases_ministers-of-the-gospel-are-excluded-fro_628946.jpg)
![“It [further education] is most essential,otherwise I would not have educated my sons. I learnt the hard way.Maybe if I had some education my success and growth would have been quicker.” quote by Dhirubhai Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/916/dhirubhai-ambani-14041_educated_it-further-education-is-most-essential-o_453453.jpg)
![“After several years of channeling, [my spirit guide,] Orin told me that he wanted to teach me about the future and probably realities. For a period of several months, he gave me various preditions which came true. Several times he gave me exact newspaper headlines and dates, several months prior…” quote by Sanaya Roman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4b8/sanaya-roman-28397_fortune-telling_after-several-years-of-channeling-my-spi_2322517.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)
