Government Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”
About This Quote
Source Letter to James Madison, 1787
Informed citizens can responsibly manage their own government.
In simple terms: Informed people can be trusted.
Key Takeaway
Promote education and transparent information.
Themes
democracy
knowledge
trust
Mood
hopeful
serious
Type
historical
political
When to use this quote
- voting
- public policy
- community organizing
Key Concepts
political theory
civic education
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies ensure accurate information?
- What safeguards protect against uninformed governance?
A Different Perspective
Misinformation can erode trust despite knowledge.
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![“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)
