--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If NATURE has made any one thing less…" description: "\"If NATURE has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea... No on..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/thomas-jefferson-43_action_if-nature-has-made-any-one-thing-less-su_3219189.jpg" --- # If NATURE has made any one thing less susceptible than all… ![“If NATURE has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea... No one possesses the less, because every other possess the whole of it. He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/thomas-jefferson-43_action_if-nature-has-made-any-one-thing-less-su_3219189.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/thomas-jefferson-43_action_if-nature-has-made-any-one-thing-less-su_3219189.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b7/thomas-jefferson-43_action_if-nature-has-made-any-one-thing-less-su_3219189.jpg) > “If NATURE has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called an idea... No one possesses the less, because every other possess the whole of it. He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.” [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. Ideas are limitless; sharing one does not diminish the original, but spreads understanding. **In simple terms:** Sharing ideas doesn’t reduce yours. Key Takeaway Share ideas freely. Themes knowledge generosity intellectual property Mood thoughtful inspired Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - teaching - collaboration - creative brainstorming Key Concepts philosophy epistemology collective intelligence Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure ideas are used responsibly? - What barriers prevent sharing ideas? A Different Perspective Ideas can be misinterpreted or misused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Innovation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/innovation/) [Intellectual property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-property/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Patents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patents/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Workplace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/workplace/) ## Related quotes > [He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-receives-an-idea-from-me-receives-instruction-himself-without-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-receives-an-idea-from-me-receives-instruction-himself-without/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Paint like a fiend when the idea possesses you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/paint-like-a-fiend-when-the-idea-possesses-you/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [“Men of genius are made not by new ideas, but by an idea which possesses them, namely, that what has been said has not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-delacroix/men-of-genius-are-made-not-by-new-ideas-but-by-an-idea-which/) [Eugene Delacroix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-delacroix/) > [An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/an-idea-that-is-not-dangerous-is-unworthy-of-being-called-an-idea-at/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [The idea that is not dangerous is not worthy of being called an idea at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-idea-that-is-not-dangerous-is-not-worthy-of-being-called-an-idea/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [An idea that is not dangerous is not worthy of being called an idea at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/an-idea-that-is-not-dangerous-is-not-worthy-of-being-called-an-idea/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy to be called an idea at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/an-idea-that-is-not-dangerous-is-unworthy-to-be-called-an-idea-at-all/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [ He who lights his \[candle\] at mine receives light without darkening me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receives-light-without-darkening-me/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“thinking about power as an attribute or even a verb (‘to power’), not as a possession.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/thinking-about-power-as-an-attribute-or-even-a-verb-to-power-not-as-a/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [History has informed us that bodies of men as well as individuals are susceptible of the spirit of tyranny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/history-has-informed-us-that-bodies-of-men-as-well-as-individuals-are/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ Since the election \[of Donald Trump\], I've been thinking about a lot of theory. Lots of \[Michel\] Foucault and \[Karl\] Marx, thinking about different… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morgan-parker/since-the-election-of-donald-trump-i-ve-been-thinking-about-a-lot-of/) [Morgan Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morgan-parker/) > [I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-consider-the-foundation-of-the-constitution-as-laid-on-this-ground/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Positive thinking is powerful thinking. If you want happiness, fulfillment, success and inner peace, start thinking you have the power to achieve those things.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/positive-thinking-is-powerful-thinking-if-you-want-happiness/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [To take a single step beyond the boundaries specially drawn around the powers of Congress is to take possession of a boundless field of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-take-a-single-step-beyond-the-boundaries-specially-drawn-around/) [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 Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. 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If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [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/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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