--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: But our rulers can have authority over…" description: "\"“But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could no..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/thomas-jefferson-43_founding-fathers_but-our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-s_2090199.jpg" --- # But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights… ![“But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God. The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/thomas-jefferson-43_founding-fathers_but-our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-s_2090199.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/thomas-jefferson-43_founding-fathers_but-our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-s_2090199.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb1/thomas-jefferson-43_founding-fathers_but-our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-s_2090199.jpg) > ““But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God. The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. If it be said, his testimony in a court of justice cannot be relied on, reject it then, and be the stigma on him. Constraint may make him worse by making him a hypocrite, but it will never make him a truer man. It may fix him obstinately in his errors, but will not cure them. Reason and free enquiry are the only effectual agents against error.”” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Government authority is limited to preventing harm; conscience and belief are beyond state control, requiring reason and free inquiry to combat error. **In simple terms:** Rights of conscience cannot be forced by law; only harmful actions are regulated. Key Takeaway Protect personal conscience, use reason to challenge error. Themes freedom government conscience reason inquiry Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legal debates - academic discussions - personal moral decisions - public policy formation - activism Key Concepts political philosophy civil liberties separation of church and state Questions to Reflect On - How should societies balance individual conscience with public order? - What role does reason play in safeguarding liberty? A Different Perspective Limits of law cannot enforce truth; personal beliefs may remain unchecked. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers/) [Natural rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-rights/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Religious freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-freedom/) [Separation of church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-church-and-state/) ## Related quotes > [ \[O\]ur rules can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/o-ur-rules-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subject to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-error-seems-not-sufficiently-eradicated-that-the-operations-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/legitimate-powers-of-government-reach-actions-only-not-opinions-i/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ The rights \[to religious freedom\] are of the natural rights of mankind, and ... if any act shall be ... passed to repeal \[an… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-rights-to-religious-freedom-are-of-the-natural-rights-of-mankind/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“No one can claim to possess another, only God has the legitimate right to posses us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/no-one-can-claim-to-possess-another-only-god-has-the-legitimate-right/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [“There is nothing, from DNA to the United Nations, that does not have God at its core. Everything has a spiritual aspect. Everything is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-wink/there-is-nothing-from-dna-to-the-united-nations-that-does-not-have/) [Walter Wink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-wink/) > [No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/no-provision-in-our-constitution-ought-to-be-dearer-to-man-than-that/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ Some other natural rights... \[have\] not yet entered into any declaration of rights. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/some-other-natural-rights-have-not-yet-entered-into-any-declaration/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ It \[appears\] that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-appears-that-however-certain-forms-of-government-are-better/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ A free people \[claim\] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-free-people-claim-their-rights-as-derived-from-the-laws-of-nature-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Questions of natural right are triable by their conformity with the moral sense and reason of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/questions-of-natural-right-are-triable-by-their-conformity-with-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The evidence of the natural rights of expatriation, like that of our right to life, liberty, the use of our faculties, the pursuit of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-evidence-of-the-natural-rights-of-expatriation-like-that-of-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The idea is quite unfounded that on entering into society we give up any natural rights.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-idea-is-quite-unfounded-that-on-entering-into-society-we-give-up/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Whereas it appeareth that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/whereas-it-appeareth-that-however-certain-forms-of-government-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Founding fathers quotes > [It's interesting that the greatest minds of computer science, the founding fathers, like Alan Turing and Claude Shannon and Norbert Wiener, they all looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/it-s-interesting-that-the-greatest-minds-of-computer-science-the/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [My favorite Founding Fathers, Christians like John Adams, were absolutely appalled by slavery, and did not own slaves. I think we're going to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/my-favorite-founding-fathers-christians-like-john-adams-were/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [“I am apprehensive, Sir, that in the warmth of my feelings, I may have uttered expressions, which were too vehement. If such has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/i-am-apprehensive-sir-that-in-the-warmth-of-my-feelings-i-may-have/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [The vision that the founding fathers had of rule of law and equality before the law and no one above the law, that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/the-vision-that-the-founding-fathers-had-of-rule-of-law-and-equality/) [James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/) > [Conservatism is about the basic rights of individuals. God created us. As far as the government goes, the Founding Fathers based the Constitution off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wurzelbacher/conservatism-is-about-the-basic-rights-of-individuals-god-created-us/) [Joe Wurzelbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wurzelbacher/) > [“It is not the self respect and pride that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind to your children that matters.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-is-not-the-self-respect-and-pride-that-you-take-with-you-but-the/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Our founding fathers placed so much emphasis on nurturing a well-educated populace because they knew that our system of democracy could not long survive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-carson/our-founding-fathers-placed-so-much-emphasis-on-nurturing-a-well/) [Ben Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-carson/) > [That government is best which governs the least, so taught the courageous founders of this nation. This simple declaration is diametrically opposed to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/that-government-is-best-which-governs-the-least-so-taught-the/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [I usually don't have a burger, a brat, and a steak but it is 4th of July. 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Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow-2/) > [America, to me, is this enormous contrast between the heady idealism of founding fathers such as Thomas Jefferson, who said, 'All men are created…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/america-to-me-is-this-enormous-contrast-between-the-heady-idealism-of/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [Our country was founded on a distrust of government. Our founding fathers gave power to the people to keep an eye on government. 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They believed that people of faith should be permitted to express themselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cornyn/there-is-no-doubt-where-the-founding-fathers-stood-on-this-issue-they/) [John Cornyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cornyn/) [Browse all 429 Founding fathers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God. The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. If it be said, his testimony in a court of justice cannot be relied on, reject it then, and be the stigma on him. 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