--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Having labored faithfully in establishing…" description: "\"Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of self-government, we see in the rising generation, into whose hands it is passing, that purity of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/thomas-jefferson-43_character_having-labored-faithfully-in-establishin_1983705.jpg" --- # Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of… ![“Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of self-government, we see in the rising generation, into whose hands it is passing, that purity of principle and energy of character which will protect and preserve it through their day, and deliver it over to their sons as they receive it from…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/thomas-jefferson-43_character_having-labored-faithfully-in-establishin_1983705.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/thomas-jefferson-43_character_having-labored-faithfully-in-establishin_1983705.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7a9/thomas-jefferson-43_character_having-labored-faithfully-in-establishin_1983705.jpg) > “Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of self-government, we see in the rising generation, into whose hands it is passing, that purity of principle and energy of character which will protect and preserve it through their day, and deliver it over to their sons as they receive it from their fathers.” [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. Self‑government thrives when successive generations inherit principled, energetic character, preserving liberty for future heirs. **In simple terms:** Good character and principle protect self‑government. Key Takeaway Cultivate virtue in youth. Themes government principle generations Mood hopeful inspirational Type political educational When to use this quote - family upbringing - civic education - leadership training Key Concepts civic virtue political continuity Questions to Reflect On - What practices instill lasting civic virtue? - How can we ensure energy of character? A Different Perspective Assumes all youth will adopt these virtues without resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Establishing Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishing-right-3401280/) [Faithfully Establishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithfully-establishing-3401279/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Generation Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generation-hands-3401281/) [Generations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generations/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Hands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hands/) [Inexperience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inexperience/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Passing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passing/) [Passings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passings/) [Preserves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preserves/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Protect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protect/) [Purity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purity/) [Rising](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rising/) [Rising Generation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rising-generation-1394700/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government-599204/) [Self-government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Youth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/youth/) ## Related quotes > [It is to them I look, to the rising generation, and not to the one now in power, for these great reformations i.e., emancipation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-is-to-them-i-look-to-the-rising-generation-and-not-to-the-one-now/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [the boys of the rising generation are to be the men of the next, and the sole guardians of the principles we deliver over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-boys-of-the-rising-generation-are-to-be-the-men-of-the-next-and/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [They are exactly the persons who are to succeed to the government of our country and to rule its future enmities, its friendships and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/they-are-exactly-the-persons-who-are-to-succeed-to-the-government-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I rejoice when I hear of young men of virtue and talents, worthy to receive and likely to preserve the splendid inheritance of self-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-rejoice-when-i-hear-of-young-men-of-virtue-and-talents-worthy-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Old heads as well as young may sometimes be charged with ignorance and presumption. 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The event of our experiment is to show whether man can be trusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-act-not-for-ourselves-but-for-the-whole-human-race-the-event-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-qualifications-for-self-government-in-society-are-not-innate-they/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The right of self-government does not comprehend the government of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-right-of-self-government-does-not-comprehend-the-government-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Every man, and every body of men on earth, possesses the right of self-government. They receive it with their being from the hand of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/every-man-and-every-body-of-men-on-earth-possesses-the-right-of-self/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ “\[It is a\] happy truth that man is capable of self-government, and only rendered otherwise by the moral degradation designedly superinduced on him by… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-is-a-happy-truth-that-man-is-capable-of-self-government-and-only/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of self-government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/may-it-be-to-the-world-to-assume-the-blessings-and-security-of-self/) [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 Character quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. 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