--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Can the liberties of a nation be thought…" description: "\"Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have remover their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these libertie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/thomas-jefferson-43_american-founding-fa_can-the-liberties-of-a-nation-be-thought_3060526.jpg" --- # Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we… ![“Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have remover their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/thomas-jefferson-43_american-founding-fa_can-the-liberties-of-a-nation-be-thought_3060526.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/thomas-jefferson-43_american-founding-fa_can-the-liberties-of-a-nation-be-thought_3060526.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf0/thomas-jefferson-43_american-founding-fa_can-the-liberties-of-a-nation-be-thought_3060526.jpg) > “Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have remover their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.” [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. The stability of liberty depends on belief that it is divinely ordained, making it harder to violate without moral consequence. **In simple terms:** Liberties feel safe when seen as God‑granted. Key Takeaway Recognize how belief systems protect rights. Themes politics religion freedom morality Mood reflective concerned Type philosophical political When to use this quote - government policy - public discourse - constitutional debate - religious influence Key Concepts social contract divine right justice Questions to Reflect On - How does faith shape political stability? - Can rights be protected without divine justification? A Different Perspective If belief wanes, liberties may be challenged. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) [American liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-liberty/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Christian heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-heritage/) [Christian patriotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-patriotic/) [Christianity from founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity-from-founding-fathers/) [Conviction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conviction/) [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Deist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deist/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [First amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-amendment/) [Founding america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-america/) [Founding fathers of america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/founding-fathers-of-america/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Gift from god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gift-from-god/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) [God and country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-and-country/) [Heritage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heritage/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Liberties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberties/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Morality and religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality-and-religion/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Patriotic religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic-religious/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion and government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-and-government/) [Revolution founding fathers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution-founding-fathers/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Wrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrath/) ## Related quotes > [The God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-god-who-gave-us-life-gave-us-liberty-can-the-liberties-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is a fundamental difference between separation of church and state and denying the spiritual heritage of this country. Inscribed on the Jefferson Memorial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/there-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-separation-of-church-and/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed a conviction that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-davis/god-who-gave-us-life-gave-us-liberty-can-the-liberties-of-a-nation-be/) [John Paul Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-davis/) > [“I have also frequently heard people question the faith of Thomas Jefferson. However, in his 1781 notes on the state of Virginia, he wrote,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-carson/i-have-also-frequently-heard-people-question-the-faith-of-thomas/) [Ben Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-carson/) > [My heart trembles when I reflect that God is just](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/my-heart-trembles-when-i-reflect-that-god-is-just/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We shall pay any price, bear any burden, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-shall-pay-any-price-bear-any-burden-to-assure-the-survival-and-the/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Suppose a nation in some distant region should take the Bible for their only law book, and every member should regulate his conduct by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/suppose-a-nation-in-some-distant-region-should-take-the-bible-for/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [July 4th ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/july-4th-ought-to-be-commemorated-as-the-day-of-deliverance-by-solemn/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Intelligence, patriotism, Christianity, and a firm reliance on Him, who has never yet forsaken this favored land, are still competent to adjust, in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/intelligence-patriotism-christianity-and-a-firm-reliance-on-him-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We have this day restored the Sovereign to Whom all men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and from the rising to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/we-have-this-day-restored-the-sovereign-to-whom-all-men-ought-to-be/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [Christianity is the only true and perfect religion...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/christianity-is-the-only-true-and-perfect-religion/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/the-foundations-of-our-society-and-our-government-rest-so-much-on-the/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) > [In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-regard-to-this-great-book-i-have-but-to-say-it-is-the-best-gift/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-is-the-duty-of-all-nations-to-acknowledge-the-providence-of-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [You've never had a job that you thought was secure. You don't think the Tonight Show is risk free. Especially when you saw what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-fallon/you-ve-never-had-a-job-that-you-thought-was-secure-you-don-t-think/) [Jimmy Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-fallon/) ## 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 American founding fathers quotes > [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/) > [Rulers who wished to subvert the public liberty, may have found an established Clergy convenient auxiliaries. A just Government instituted to secure & perpetuate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/rulers-who-wished-to-subvert-the-public-liberty-may-have-found-an/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/in-vain-would-that-man-claim-the-tribute-of-patriotism-who-should/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/the-general-principles-on-which-the-fathers-achieved-independence/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-carroll-of-carrollton/without-morals-a-republic-cannot-subsist-any-length-of-time-they/) Charles Carroll of Carrollton > [We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-have-been-preserved-these-many-years-in-peace-and-prosperity-we/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am opposed to any form of tyranny over the mind of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-opposed-to-any-form-of-tyranny-over-the-mind-of-man/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him (i.e. Jesus) by his biographers, I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/among-the-sayings-and-discourses-imputed-to-him-i-e-jesus-by-his/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I firmly believe this ... that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the builders of Babel:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-firmly-believe-this-that-without-his-concurring-aid-we-shall/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father, in the womb of a virgin, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-day-will-come-when-the-mystical-generation-of-jesus-by-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim tribute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/of-all-the-dispositions-and-habits-which-lead-to-political-prosperity-2/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/religious-controversies-are-always-productive-of-more-acrimony-and/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The only foundation for . . . a republic is to be laid in Religion. Without this there can be no virtue, and without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-rush/the-only-foundation-for-a-republic-is-to-be-laid-in-religion-without/) [Benjamin Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-rush/) > [The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-time-is-now-near-at-hand-which-must-probably-determine-whether/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) [Browse all 89 American founding fathers quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-founding-fathers/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have remover their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? 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