--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I consider trial by jury as the only…" description: "\"I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.\" — Thoma..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg" --- # I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet… ![“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg) > “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.” [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. A jury trial is the sole safeguard ensuring government adheres to constitutional principles. **In simple terms:** Jury trials protect constitutional governance. Key Takeaway Support jury trials to uphold rights. Themes law constitution justice Mood concerned hopeful Type legal philosophical When to use this quote - legal reform - civil rights - public policy - education Key Concepts jury system checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - How effective are juries today? - What alternatives exist? A Different Perspective Jury systems can be biased or inefficient. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civil rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights/) [Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constitution/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Trial by jury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trial-by-jury/) [Trials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials/) ## Related quotes > [While the principles of our Constitution give just latitude to inquiry, every citizen faithful to it will deem embodied expressions of discontent and open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/while-the-principles-of-our-constitution-give-just-latitude-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In the constitution of Spain as proposed by the late Cortes, there was a principle entirely new to me:... that no person born after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-the-constitution-of-spain-as-proposed-by-the-late-cortes-there-was/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [What has destroyed liberty and the rights of man in every government which has ever existed under the sun? The generalizing and concentrating all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/what-has-destroyed-liberty-and-the-rights-of-man-in-every-government/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [By a declaration of rights, I mean one which shall stipulate freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of commerce against monopolies, trial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/by-a-declaration-of-rights-i-mean-one-which-shall-stipulate-freedom/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ It astonishes me to find... \[that so many\] of our countrymen... should be contented to live under a system which leaves to their governors… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-astonishes-me-to-find-that-so-many-of-our-countrymen-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I will now add what I do not like. First, the omission of a bill of rights providing clearly and without the aid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-will-now-add-what-i-do-not-like-first-the-omission-of-a-bill-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Trial by jury is part of the bright constellation which leads to peace, liberty and safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/trial-by-jury-is-part-of-the-bright-constellation-which-leads-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Trial by jury is part of that bright constellation which has gone before us and guided our steps through an age of revolution and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/trial-by-jury-is-part-of-that-bright-constellation-which-has-gone/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of person under protection of habeas corpus; and trial by juries impartially selected, these principles form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/freedom-of-religion-freedom-of-the-press-freedom-of-person-under/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The wisdom of our ages and the blood of our heroes has been devoted to the attainment of trial by jury. It should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-wisdom-of-our-ages-and-the-blood-of-our-heroes-has-been-devoted/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[The Constitution\] will not be saved in Washington. It will be saved by the citizens of this nation who love and cherish freedom...men and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-taft-benson/the-constitution-will-not-be-saved-in-washington-it-will-be-saved-by/) [Ezra Taft Benson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-taft-benson/) > [“I hope with all my soul that the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be loyal in their very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-f-smith/i-hope-with-all-my-soul-that-the-members-of-the-church-of-jesus/) [Joseph F. Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-f-smith/) > [We start with first principles. The Constitution creates a Federal Government of enumerated powers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-rehnquist/we-start-with-first-principles-the-constitution-creates-a-federal/) [William Rehnquist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-rehnquist/) > [“The inspired principles in the Constitution are the principles of the rule of law which, if preserved, guarantee liberty to every man. These principles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-b-reynolds/the-inspired-principles-in-the-constitution-are-the-principles-of-the/) Noel B. Reynolds > [I've spent my whole life fighting for free-market principles and the Constitution. That's not going to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/i-ve-spent-my-whole-life-fighting-for-free-market-principles-and-the/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) ## 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 Anchors quotes > [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [Where it all ends I can't fathom, my friends. If I knew, I might toss out my anchor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/where-it-all-ends-i-can-t-fathom-my-friends-if-i-knew-i-might-toss/) [Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/) > [My mom taught me the power of love. I learned to focus on the long-term big picture from my father. His sense of humor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/padmasree-warrior/my-mom-taught-me-the-power-of-love-i-learned-to-focus-on-the-long/) [Padmasree Warrior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/padmasree-warrior/) > [The past is an anchor with suffering written on the rope. I don't live there now. I am cutting myself free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-millar/the-past-is-an-anchor-with-suffering-written-on-the-rope-i-don-t-live/) [Mark Millar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-millar/) > [I was born imagining myself with an apron on, with pies cooling on the window sill and babies crying upstairs. I thought that all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-fisher/i-was-born-imagining-myself-with-an-apron-on-with-pies-cooling-on-the/) [Carrie Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-fisher/) > [It's all still about having a good story. You have to have a good story as your anchor, as your main focus. So for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/it-s-all-still-about-having-a-good-story-you-have-to-have-a-good/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Women and God are the two rocks on which a man must either anchor or be wrecked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/women-and-god-are-the-two-rocks-on-which-a-man-must-either-anchor-or/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Footnote: 79) The anchor is gigantic and must weigh a hundred tons, and -- delightfully -- it really is anchor-shaped, i.e. the same shape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/footnote-79-the-anchor-is-gigantic-and-must-weigh-a-hundred-tons-and/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Up anchor! Up anchor! Set sail and away! The ventures of dreamland Are thine for a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-weir-mitchell/up-anchor-up-anchor-set-sail-and-away-the-ventures-of-dreamland-are/) [Silas Weir Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-weir-mitchell/) > [Cast all your cares on God; that anchor holds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-lord-tennyson/cast-all-your-cares-on-god-that-anchor-holds/) [Alfred Lord Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-lord-tennyson/) > [I'm single, footloose and fancy free, I have no responsibilities, no anchors. Work, friendship and self-improvement, that's me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-edgerton/i-m-single-footloose-and-fancy-free-i-have-no-responsibilities-no/) [Joel Edgerton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-edgerton/) > [I get an adrenaline rush from "playing with the big boys." I consider myself a tomboy and was an athlete in high school, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-alexander/i-get-an-adrenaline-rush-from-playing-with-the-big-boys-i-consider/) [Megan Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-alexander/) > [Ultimate hope constitutes the anchor of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/ultimate-hope-constitutes-the-anchor-of-the-soul/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [Experience had quickly taught her that she could not survive the storms without the anchor of the constraining love of Christ and what she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/experience-had-quickly-taught-her-that-she-could-not-survive-the/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [Kids are anchors of mothers' life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/kids-are-anchors-of-mothers-life/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) Browse all 358 Anchors quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anchor-ever-yet-imagined-by-man/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Anchors" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anchor-ever-yet-imagined-by-man/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b68/thomas-jefferson-43_anchors_i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anc_1783179.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to…” — 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": "I consider trial by jury as...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anchor-ever-yet-imagined-by-man/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-trial-by-jury-as-the-only-anchor-ever-yet-imagined-by-man/#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 } } ] } ```