--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have often thought that if heaven had…" description: "\"“I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and nea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df7/thomas-jefferson-43_investing_i-have-often-thought-that-if-heaven-had_430867.jpg" --- # I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of… ![“I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no lucture comparable to…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df7/thomas-jefferson-43_investing_i-have-often-thought-that-if-heaven-had_430867.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df7/thomas-jefferson-43_investing_i-have-often-thought-that-if-heaven-had_430867.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/df7/thomas-jefferson-43_investing_i-have-often-thought-that-if-heaven-had_430867.jpg) > ““I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no lucture comparable to that of the garden. Sucha a variety of subjeccts, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the succes of another, and instead of one harvest a continued one through the year. Under a total want of demand except for our family table, I am still devoted to the garden.”” [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. He wishes for a simple, self‑sufficient life close to nature, valuing gardening over material wealth. **In simple terms:** Prefers simple, agricultural life. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑reliance and enjoy simple work. Themes simplicity self‑reliance nature contentment Mood contemplative nostalgic Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - home gardening - urban farming - self‑sufficient living - family meals Key Concepts agrarianism sustainability personal fulfillment Questions to Reflect On - What does a “rich spot of earth” mean to you? - How can you incorporate garden‑like patience into daily tasks? A Different Perspective Modern life often demands more than basic needs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Investing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/investing/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-have-often-thought-that-if-heaven-had-given-me-choice-of-my-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Heaven has given human beings three things to balance the odds of life: hope, sleep, and laughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/immanuel-kant/heaven-has-given-human-beings-three-things-to-balance-the-odds-of/) [Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/immanuel-kant/) > [I never thought about heaven per se. I think when you're dead, you're dead. If anything happens after that, you just hope you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/i-never-thought-about-heaven-per-se-i-think-when-you-re-dead-you-re/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/a-single-grateful-thought-toward-heaven-is-the-most-perfect-prayer/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Earth gets its price for what Earth gives us; The beggar is taxed for a corner to die in, The priest hath his fee…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/earth-gets-its-price-for-what-earth-gives-us-the-beggar-is-taxed-for/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Too caught up in me to see, I'm holding a fortune that heaven has given to me. I'll try and show you each and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-marx/too-caught-up-in-me-to-see-i-m-holding-a-fortune-that-heaven-has/) [Richard Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-marx/) > [He will be our comfort and solace, our guide and counselor, our salvation and exaltation, for "there is none other name under heaven given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/he-will-be-our-comfort-and-solace-our-guide-and-counselor-our/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/music-is-god-s-gift-to-man-the-only-art-of-heaven-given-to-earth-the/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > ['T is heaven alone that is given away; 'T is only God may be had for the asking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/t-is-heaven-alone-that-is-given-away-t-is-only-god-may-be-had-for-the/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [“Birth is a heaven-given right for every baby.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/birth-is-a-heaven-given-right-for-every-baby/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [Happy the man to whom heaven has given a morsel of bread without laying him under the obligation of thanking any other for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/happy-the-man-to-whom-heaven-has-given-a-morsel-of-bread-without/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [Heaven has given to every human being the power of controlling his passions, and if he neglects or loses it, the fault is his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/heaven-has-given-to-every-human-being-the-power-of-controlling-his/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [Heaven is not here, it's There. If we were given all we wanted here, our hearts would settle for this world rather than the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-elliot/heaven-is-not-here-it-s-there-if-we-were-given-all-we-wanted-here-our/) [Elisabeth Elliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-elliot/) > [To all of us the thought of heaven is dear -Why not be sure of it and make it here?No doubt there is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-le-gallienne/to-all-of-us-the-thought-of-heaven-is-dear-why-not-be-sure-of-it-and/) [Richard Le Gallienne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-le-gallienne/) > [A grateful thought toward heaven is of itself a prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudolph-edgar-block/a-grateful-thought-toward-heaven-is-of-itself-a-prayer/) Rudolph Edgar Block ## 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 Heaven quotes > [Heaven lies around us in our infancy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-golding/heaven-lies-around-us-in-our-infancy/) [William Golding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-golding/) > [The more perfect the sight is the more delightful the beautiful object. The more perfect the appetite, the sweeter the food. The more musical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/the-more-perfect-the-sight-is-the-more-delightful-the-beautiful/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I believe that on any trip to heaven, there are always detours through hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-finney/i-believe-that-on-any-trip-to-heaven-there-are-always-detours-through/) [Richard Finney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-finney/) > [When I get a chance to play golf or go on a boat with good people, take the boat out and put some lobsters…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-mac/when-i-get-a-chance-to-play-golf-or-go-on-a-boat-with-good-people/) [Bernie Mac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-mac/) > [Every saved person this side of heaven owes the gospel to every lost person this side of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/every-saved-person-this-side-of-heaven-owes-the-gospel-to-every-lost/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I wonder: when a Jehovah's Witness dies and goes to Heaven, does God hide behind the door and pretend He's not home?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-celio/i-wonder-when-a-jehovah-s-witness-dies-and-goes-to-heaven-does-god/) [Brian Celio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-celio/) > [By the time you have no difficulties in your life, you have achieved Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-brown/by-the-time-you-have-no-difficulties-in-your-life-you-have-achieved/) [Charles Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-brown/) > [I'm what is known as gradually disintegrating. I don't fear the next world, or anything. I don't fear hell, and I don't look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/i-m-what-is-known-as-gradually-disintegrating-i-don-t-fear-the-next/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [I do not want a kingdom, or heaven; what I want is to remove the trouble of the oppressed, the poor, and the needy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-a-kingdom-or-heaven-what-i-want-is-to-remove-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/god-is-the-highest-good-of-the-reasonable-creature-and-the-enjoyment/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [“The Creator sat upon the throne, thinking. Behind him stretched the illimitable continent of heaven, steeped in a glory of light and color; before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-creator-sat-upon-the-throne-thinking-behind-him-stretched-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) [Browse all 9,540 Heaven quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I have often thought that if heaven had given me choice of my position and calling, it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered, and near a good market for the productions of the garden. No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no lucture comparable to that of the garden. Sucha a variety of subjeccts, some one always coming to perfection, the failure of one thing repaired by the succes of another, and instead of one harvest a continued one through the year. 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