--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Civil government being the sole object of…" description: "\"Civil government being the sole object of forming societies, its administration must be conducted by common consent.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16b/thomas-jefferson-43_administration_civil-government-being-the-sole-object-o_2435362.jpg" --- # Civil government being the sole object of forming… ![“Civil government being the sole object of forming societies, its administration must be conducted by common consent.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16b/thomas-jefferson-43_administration_civil-government-being-the-sole-object-o_2435362.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16b/thomas-jefferson-43_administration_civil-government-being-the-sole-object-o_2435362.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16b/thomas-jefferson-43_administration_civil-government-being-the-sole-object-o_2435362.jpg) > “Civil government being the sole object of forming societies, its administration must be conducted by common consent.” [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 should be formed by the people, based on mutual agreement and shared authority. **In simple terms:** Governments need common consent. Key Takeaway Build institutions on shared agreement. Themes government consent democracy Mood thoughtful inspirational Type political philosophical When to use this quote - voting - community building - policy making Key Concepts social contract participation Questions to Reflect On - How can consent be truly inclusive? - What mechanisms ensure fair participation? A Different Perspective Consent can be hard to achieve in diverse societies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/administration/) [Civil Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-government-333148/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-consent-333147/) [Consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consent/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Societies Administration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/societies-administration-333149/) [Sole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sole/) ## Related quotes > [Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/laws-made-by-common-consent-must-not-be-trampled-on-by-individuals/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Sin cannot be conceived in a natural state, but only in a civil state, where it is decreed by common consent what is good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baruch-spinoza/sin-cannot-be-conceived-in-a-natural-state-but-only-in-a-civil-state/) [Baruch Spinoza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baruch-spinoza/) > [By common consent of all the nations and all the ages the most valuable thing in this world is the homage of men, whether…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/by-common-consent-of-all-the-nations-and-all-the-ages-the-most/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It is, by common consent, a good thing for people to get back to nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldo-leopold/it-is-by-common-consent-a-good-thing-for-people-to-get-back-to-nature/) [Aldo Leopold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldo-leopold/) > [The origin of all civil government, justly established, must be a voluntary compact, between the rulers and the ruled; and must be liable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/the-origin-of-all-civil-government-justly-established-must-be-a/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/history-i-believe-furnishes-no-example-of-a-priest-ridden-people-4/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ It is time enough, for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere \[in the propagation of religious teachings\] when principles… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-is-time-enough-for-the-rightful-purposes-of-civil-government-for/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-opinions-of-men-are-not-the-object-of-civil-government-nor-under-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/history-i-believe-furnishes-no-example-of-a-priest-ridden-people-3/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/history-i-believe-furnishes-no-example-of-a-priest-ridden-people-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/history-i-believe-furnishes-no-example-of-a-priest-ridden-people/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [By common consent, most European countries support the maintenance of robust welfare states and are comfortable with taxation systems that support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kennedy/by-common-consent-most-european-countries-support-the-maintenance-of/) [Charles Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kennedy/) > [When all run by common consent into vice, none appear to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/when-all-run-by-common-consent-into-vice-none-appear-to-do-so/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [It may be regarded as certain that not a foot of land will ever be taken from the Indians without their own consent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-may-be-regarded-as-certain-that-not-a-foot-of-land-will-ever-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/self-love-is-the-sole-antagonist-of-virtue-leading-us-constantly-by/) [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 Administration quotes > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. Remember, under a Trump administration it's called America first. Remember that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/we-need-a-system-that-serves-our-needs-not-the-needs-of-others/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you want to serve in a Trump administration, you're going to serve this country, not yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/if-you-want-to-serve-in-a-trump-administration-you-re-going-to-serve/) [Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/) > [Listen, I have a great affection and respect for Joe Biden. I think he's been a great vice president. He's taken on a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-axelrod/listen-i-have-a-great-affection-and-respect-for-joe-biden-i-think-he/) [David Axelrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-axelrod/) > [I don't believe anyone that I know in the administration ever said that Iraq had nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-rumsfeld/i-don-t-believe-anyone-that-i-know-in-the-administration-ever-said/) [Donald Rumsfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-rumsfeld/) > [What was unique about me being in City Hall during the Giuliani Administration, I was the only one who wasn't an attorney. I may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-lhota/what-was-unique-about-me-being-in-city-hall-during-the-giuliani/) [Joe Lhota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-lhota/) > [The Trump administration launched the cruise missile strikes in Syria, an act of war, without a U.N. resolution or Congressional authorization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/the-trump-administration-launched-the-cruise-missile-strikes-in-syria/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [The only way I'll ever run a marathon is if I'm involved in the administration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-phillips/the-only-way-i-ll-ever-run-a-marathon-is-if-i-m-involved-in-the/) [Sally Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sally-phillips/) > [Obama spent the first two years of his administration practicing political unilateral disarmament.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cenk-uygur/obama-spent-the-first-two-years-of-his-administration-practicing/) [Cenk Uygur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cenk-uygur/) > [The actions of the University in my case make it abundantly clear that the Administration's rhetoric about Harvard's desire to attract and retain the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-geller/the-actions-of-the-university-in-my-case-make-it-abundantly-clear/) [Margaret Geller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-geller/) > [In mid-May, the House of Representatives approved the full amount of money that the Veterans Administration said was needed for next year - plus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doc-hastings/in-mid-may-the-house-of-representatives-approved-the-full-amount-of/) [Doc Hastings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doc-hastings/) > [In 1953, the United States played a significant role in orchestrating the overthrow of Iran's popular prime minister, Mohammed Mossadegh. The Eisenhower administration believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/in-1953-the-united-states-played-a-significant-role-in-orchestrating/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [The administration of George W. Bush, emboldened by the Sept. 11 attacks and the backing of a Republican Congress, has sought to further extend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-feldman/the-administration-of-george-w-bush-emboldened-by-the-sept-11-attacks/) [Noah Feldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-feldman/) > [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [We will finally complete the biometric entry-exit visa tracking system, which we need desperately. 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