Able Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: 1795 correspondence, Thomas Jefferson, 1795
A free press and universal literacy create a safe society.
In simple terms: Free press and reading ensure safety.
Key Takeaway
Promote press freedom and education.
Themes
freedom
education
society
Mood
optimistic
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- schools
- public libraries
- journalistic outlets
- policy debates
Key Concepts
democracy
public sphere
Questions to Reflect On
- How does literacy affect civic participation?
- What safeguards protect press independence?
A Different Perspective
Economic inequality can still threaten safety despite press freedom.
![“[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)
