Citizenry Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: to James Madison, 1787
Legal actions permissible for the state may be unjust for citizens, highlighting a conflict between law and liberty.
In simple terms: Law can be legal for government but illegal for people.
Key Takeaway
Question laws that harm citizens.
Themes
justice
law
citizen rights
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- voting rights
- police authority
- government overreach
Key Concepts
legal theory
political philosophy
civil liberty
Questions to Reflect On
- What checks prevent unjust laws?
- How do citizens resist illegal governance?
A Different Perspective
Legal frameworks can be manipulated to oppress.
![“[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)
