Attempted Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“We see the wisdom of Solon's remark, that no more good must be attempted than the nation can bear.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1798
Warns against overextending national ambitions beyond capacity.
In simple terms: Limit national projects to sustainable levels.
Key Takeaway
Pursue realistic goals.
Themes
government
ambition
capacity
wisdom
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy drafting
- budget planning
- national strategy
- public debate
Key Concepts
political theory
public policy
resource management
Questions to Reflect On
- What determines a nation's capacity?
- How to balance ambition with prudence?
A Different Perspective
Risk of under‑achieving due to caution.
![“[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)
