--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not be too severe upon the errors of…" description: "\"Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg" --- # Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but… ![“Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg) > “Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.” [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. Compassionate correction involves gentle guidance rather than harsh judgment, aiming to improve others through enlightenment. **In simple terms:** Correct kindly, not harshly, to help others learn. Key Takeaway Offer constructive, empathetic feedback. Themes compassion education leadership Mood thoughtful inspirational Type ethical educational When to use this quote - teaching - mentoring - conflict resolution - parenting Key Concepts moral philosophy personal growth communication Questions to Reflect On - What is the best way to balance kindness with honesty? - How does enlightenment differ from criticism? A Different Perspective May be perceived as weak or ineffective. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enlightening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightening/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Errors People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors-people-1067461/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Reclaim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-reclaim-1880345/) [Reclaim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reclaim/) [Reclaim Enlightening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reclaim-enlightening-1880344/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) ## Related quotes > [“When we overlook the errors of people we like and favour. We are crippling the society, because others look up to them and are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/when-we-overlook-the-errors-of-people-we-like-and-favour-we-are/) [De philosopher DJ Kyos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/de-philosopher-dj-kyos/) > [“We are terrible at seeking evidence that challenges our own beliefs, but other people do us this favor, just as we are good at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-konnikova/we-are-terrible-at-seeking-evidence-that-challenges-our-own-beliefs/) [Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) > [ This formidable censor of the public functionaries \[the press\], by arraigning them at the tribunal of public opinion, produces reform peaceably, which must otherwise… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/this-formidable-censor-of-the-public-functionaries-the-press-by/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The value of science to a republican people, the security it gives to liberty by enlightening the minds of its citizens, the protection it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-value-of-science-to-a-republican-people-the-security-it-gives-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-press-is-the-best-instrument-for-enlightening-the-mind-of-man-and/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [You must reclaim what you never lost. You must take leave of your sanity, and yet be fully responsible for your actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gnarls-barkley/you-must-reclaim-what-you-never-lost-you-must-take-leave-of-your/) [Gnarls Barkley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gnarls-barkley/) > [“The strength to face the hardest battles comes from knowing that every new day is a choice to reclaim who you are”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hagir-elsheikh/the-strength-to-face-the-hardest-battles-comes-from-knowing-that/) [Hagir Elsheikh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hagir-elsheikh/) > [Together, we will reclaim America's schools, before ignorance and apathy claim more young lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/together-we-will-reclaim-america-s-schools-before-ignorance-and/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I didn't go to America to be a star, but to try to reclaim my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysette-anthony/i-didn-t-go-to-america-to-be-a-star-but-to-try-to-reclaim-my-life/) [Lysette Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysette-anthony/) > [We're very lucky to be able to go back and reclaim something that was a very special part of all our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-andrew-taylor/we-re-very-lucky-to-be-able-to-go-back-and-reclaim-something-that-was/) [Roger Andrew Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-andrew-taylor/) > [It was called the Reclaim Guide. It was just a general protest guide that went over security culture and stuff like that. A small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherman-austin/it-was-called-the-reclaim-guide-it-was-just-a-general-protest-guide/) [Sherman Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherman-austin/) > [I don't want to reclaim the word 'tranny.' I don't want anyone to refer to me as 'tranny.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmen-carrera/i-don-t-want-to-reclaim-the-word-tranny-i-don-t-want-anyone-to-refer/) [Carmen Carrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmen-carrera/) > [We must reclaim and retake feminism from our fellow idiotic women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-hirsi-ali/we-must-reclaim-and-retake-feminism-from-our-fellow-idiotic-women/) [Ayaan Hirsi Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-hirsi-ali/) > [You can reclaim your own narrative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-broadwell/you-can-reclaim-your-own-narrative/) [Paula Broadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-broadwell/) > [You reclaim your power by loving what you were once taught to hate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-h-mcgill/you-reclaim-your-power-by-loving-what-you-were-once-taught-to-hate/) [Bryant H. McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-h-mcgill/) ## 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 Enlightening quotes > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [“For most of us enlightenment is not a destination or graduation into a permanent higher state of consciousness, but a moment-by-moment experience constantly fluctuating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-jennifer-howard-your-ultimate-life-plan/for-most-of-us-enlightenment-is-not-a-destination-or-graduation-into/) [Dr. Jennifer Howard "Your Ultimate Life Plan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-jennifer-howard-your-ultimate-life-plan/) > [By a man's finger-nails, by his coat-sleeve, by his boots, by his trouser-knees, by the callosities of his forefinger and thumb, by his expression,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/by-a-man-s-finger-nails-by-his-coat-sleeve-by-his-boots-by-his/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [Books are the treasured wealth of the world and the fit inheritance of generations and nations. Books, the oldest and the best, stand naturally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/books-are-the-treasured-wealth-of-the-world-and-the-fit-inheritance/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I try to do what I call the three E's - educate, entertain, and enlighten. If you don't entertain, no one will show up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hanks/i-try-to-do-what-i-call-the-three-e-s-educate-entertain-and-enlighten/) [Tom Hanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hanks/) > [Some find Lebanese poet Kahlil Gibran’s poetry preachy and moralizing, but I find it plenty enlightening—it’s hard to object to the melodic, cosmic of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil/some-find-lebanese-poet-kahlil-gibran-s-poetry-preachy-and-moralizing/) [Khalil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil/) > [It's Twitter's combination of simplicity and complexity that is astonishing in the same way that minimalist sculpture was inspiring and enlightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-goldsmith/it-s-twitter-s-combination-of-simplicity-and-complexity-that-is/) [Kenneth Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-goldsmith/) > [We must work on our souls, enlarging and expanding them. We do so by experiencing all of life-the beauty and the joy as well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/we-must-work-on-our-souls-enlarging-and-expanding-them-we-do-so-by/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [You must find the place inside yourself where nothing is impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/you-must-find-the-place-inside-yourself-where-nothing-is-impossible/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [EDUCATION, n. The bringing up, as of a child; instruction; formation of manners. Education comprehends all that series of instruction and discipline which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-webster/education-n-the-bringing-up-as-of-a-child-instruction-formation-of/) [Noah Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-webster/) > [Arya Maloney updates the basis and practice of transpersonal psychology by using the spiritual principles of India's masters and the transformational alchemy inherent in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-mindell/arya-maloney-updates-the-basis-and-practice-of-transpersonal/) [Arnold Mindell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-mindell/) > [Creating records and writing music with people I admire and respect is a very spiritual and enlightening thing for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-ragan/creating-records-and-writing-music-with-people-i-admire-and-respect/) [Chuck Ragan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-ragan/) > [“revelation noun rev·e·la·tion \\ˌre-və-ˈlā-shən\\ A pleasant, often enlightening surprise.  ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sloane-kennedy/revelation-noun-rev-e-la-tion-re-v-l-sh-n-a-pleasant-often/) [Sloane Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sloane-kennedy/) > [It's nice to know that if you've worked really hard at something, it gets recognised with a tick in the success column - however…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-fraser/it-s-nice-to-know-that-if-you-ve-worked-really-hard-at-something-it/) [Brendan Fraser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-fraser/) > [Getting photographs is not the most important thing. For me it's the act of photographing. It's enlightening, therapeutic and satisfying, because the very process…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-kenna/getting-photographs-is-not-the-most-important-thing-for-me-it-s-the/) [Michael Kenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-kenna/) [Browse all 352 Enlightening quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightening/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of-the-people-but-reclaim-them/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Enlightening" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of-the-people-but-reclaim-them/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcb/thomas-jefferson-43_enlightening_do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of_972979.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Do not be too severe upon...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of-the-people-but-reclaim-them/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of-the-people-but-reclaim-them/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```