--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have but one system of ethics for men…" description: "\"I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and gen..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg" --- # I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations… ![“I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg) > “I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both” [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. Advocates a universal ethic of gratitude, fidelity, openness, and generosity, believing these virtues benefit both individuals and nations over time. **In simple terms:** Ethics based on gratitude, fidelity, generosity. Key Takeaway Cultivate universal virtues. Themes ethics virtue humanity Mood inspirational reflective Type philosophy politics When to use this quote - personal relationships - diplomacy - public service Key Concepts Moral philosophy civic duty Questions to Reflect On - How can societies foster lasting gratitude? - What obstacles hinder consistent generosity? A Different Perspective Virtues may be challenged by self‑interest. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) [Being faithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-faithful/) [Being thankful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-thankful/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Engagement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/engagement/) [Ethics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics/) [Ethics Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ethics-men-1106686/) [Faithful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful/) [Faithful Engagements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faithful-engagements-2582005/) [Generous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous/) [Generous Promoting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generous-promoting-272994/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long run](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-run/) [Long runs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-runs/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Nations Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations-grateful-2582004/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Promoting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/promoting/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men-and-for-nations-to-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I think musicians are always very generous in promoting anything good they hear. It's just kind of in our nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmylou-harris/i-think-musicians-are-always-very-generous-in-promoting-anything-good/) [Emmylou Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmylou-harris/) > [All men alike stand condemned, not by alien codes of ethics, but by their own, and all men therefore are conscious of guilt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/all-men-alike-stand-condemned-not-by-alien-codes-of-ethics-but-by/) [C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/) > [We should teach general ethics to both men and women, but sexual relationships themselves must not be policed. Sex, like the city streets, would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/we-should-teach-general-ethics-to-both-men-and-women-but-sexual/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [Both of our political parties, at least the honest portion of them, agree conscientiously in the same object: the public good; but they differ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/both-of-our-political-parties-at-least-the-honest-portion-of-them/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I look to the diffusion of light and education as the resource most to be relied on for ameliorating the condition, promoting the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-look-to-the-diffusion-of-light-and-education-as-the-resource-most/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Your hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life. Keep the faith. It will all be worth it in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/your-hardest-times-often-lead-to-the-greatest-moments-of-your-life/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [When she tells you no one else can be compared to you, that's when you know you're the luckiest guy in the world. -Nesha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-she-tells-you-no-one-else-can-be-compared-to-you-that-s-when-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you fall in love. you do what ever it is just to prove that we love our love one. but we forgot to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wonderboy/when-you-fall-in-love-you-do-what-ever-it-is-just-to-prove-that-we/) [Wonderboy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wonderboy/) > [Walk by faith, and not by sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/walk-by-faith-and-not-by-sight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people expect the world outta relationships, but you cant change the person. They will not become perfect cause your dating…which is what makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meagansrevolution/some-people-expect-the-world-outta-relationships-but-you-cant-change/) [MeagansRevolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meagansrevolution/) > [You're trying too HARD to convince me that you're a TRUE friend & DEEP Down Inside you know you're not but you stick around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nisha-marie/you-re-trying-too-hard-to-convince-me-that-you-re-a-true-friend-deep/) [Ta'Nisha Marie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nisha-marie/) > [Who can really be faithful in great things if he has not learned to be faithful in the things of daily life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/who-can-really-be-faithful-in-great-things-if-he-has-not-learned-to/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [..ReLAtionship is just like reading a bo0k... it d0esnt w0rk if y0ur n0t on the same paGe..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megz/relationship-is-just-like-reading-a-bo0k-it-d0esnt-w0rk-if-y0ur-n0t/) [Megz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megz/) > [Being faithful shouldn't be challenging, cheating should. Too bad its the other way around though.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-faithful-shouldn-t-be-challenging-cheating-should-too-bad-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Be grateful quotes > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/focus-on-being-grateful-for-what-you-have-already-enjoy-it-then/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [Just remember: to be grateful and thank the people who are there and support you along the way is a great start to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/just-remember-to-be-grateful-and-thank-the-people-who-are-there-and/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/be-calm-be-strong-be-grateful-and-become-a-lamp-full-of-light-that/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another for there will always be others whose lives on the face of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/enjoy-your-own-life-without-comparing-it-with-that-of-another-for/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [Speak what I have to be grateful for when I get up and when I lie down to sleep. Meditation and prayer. I pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/speak-what-i-have-to-be-grateful-for-when-i-get-up-and-when-i-lie/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [Be grateful for the love you have to share-share it, and it will return to you ten times over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-praagh/be-grateful-for-the-love-you-have-to-share-share-it-and-it-will/) [James Van Praagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-praagh/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Kids aint supposed to be grateful! They're supposed to eat your food, break your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kripke/kids-aint-supposed-to-be-grateful-they-re-supposed-to-eat-your-food/) [Eric Kripke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kripke/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Browse all 602 Be grateful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men-and-for-nations-to-be-2/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be grateful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men-and-for-nations-to-be-2/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f9/thomas-jefferson-43_be-grateful_i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men_2746090.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements…” — 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 have but one system of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men-and-for-nations-to-be-2/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-but-one-system-of-ethics-for-men-and-for-nations-to-be-2/#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 } } ] } ```