--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In a free society with a government based…" description: "\"In a free society with a government based on reason, it is inevitable that there will be no uniform opinion about important issues. Those accustomed to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/thomas-jefferson-43_accustomed_in-a-free-society-with-a-government-base_427932.jpg" --- # In a free society with a government based on reason, it is… ![“In a free society with a government based on reason, it is inevitable that there will be no uniform opinion about important issues. Those accustomed to suppression and control by governmental authority see this as leading only to chaos. But a government of the people requires difference of opinion…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/thomas-jefferson-43_accustomed_in-a-free-society-with-a-government-base_427932.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/thomas-jefferson-43_accustomed_in-a-free-society-with-a-government-base_427932.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/366/thomas-jefferson-43_accustomed_in-a-free-society-with-a-government-base_427932.jpg) > “In a free society with a government based on reason, it is inevitable that there will be no uniform opinion about important issues. Those accustomed to suppression and control by governmental authority see this as leading only to chaos. But a government of the people requires difference of opinion in order to discover truth and to take advantage of the opportunity that only understanding brings.” [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. Reasoned government expects diverse opinions; uniformity stifles truth and understanding. **In simple terms:** Free societies need differing views to find truth. Key Takeaway Encourage open debate. Themes freedom reason truth government diversity Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political discourse - policy making - academic debate - media analysis - public forums Key Concepts democracy pluralism critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How does dissent improve decision making? - What safeguards protect healthy disagreement? A Different Perspective Uniform opinions can hinder progress and lead to echo chambers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advantage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advantage/) [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Chaos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chaos/) [Difference Of Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-of-opinion/) [Differences](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences/) [Differences of opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/differences-of-opinion/) [Free society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-society/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Important issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-issues/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opportunity/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Suppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suppression/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle. We have been called by different names brethren of the same principle. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/but-every-difference-of-opinion-is-not-a-difference-of-principle-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [But every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/but-every-difference-of-opinion-is-not-a-difference-of-principle/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Difference of opinion leads to inquiry, and inquiry to the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/difference-of-opinion-leads-to-inquiry-and-inquiry-to-the-truth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and I am sure...we both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/difference-of-opinion-leads-to-enquiry-and-enquiry-to-truth-and-i-am/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In every country where man is free to think and to speak, difference of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-every-country-where-man-is-free-to-think-and-to-speak-difference/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Difference of opinion is helpful in religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/difference-of-opinion-is-helpful-in-religion/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The problem is not a lack of understanding of what we are saying and doing; the problem is difference of opinion about what to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thabo-mbeki/the-problem-is-not-a-lack-of-understanding-of-what-we-are-saying-and/) [Thabo Mbeki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thabo-mbeki/) > [If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subsciously aware of having no good reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-an-opinion-contrary-to-your-own-makes-you-angry-that-is-a-sign-2/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It is a difference of opinion which does not admit of proof. We each begin probably with a little bias towards our own sex,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/it-is-a-difference-of-opinion-which-does-not-admit-of-proof-we-each/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [One lesson we learn early, that in spite of seeming difference, men are all of one pattern. We readily assume this with our mates,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/one-lesson-we-learn-early-that-in-spite-of-seeming-difference-men-are/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Difference of opinion has never been sufficiently appreciated. It is the unexpected, the unknowable, the divine irrationality of life that saves us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florida-scott-maxwell/difference-of-opinion-has-never-been-sufficiently-appreciated-it-is/) [Florida Scott-Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florida-scott-maxwell/) > [Art thrives on a difference of opinion. My treasure is your junk, sort of thing. Life would be dull if we all agreed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/art-thrives-on-a-difference-of-opinion-my-treasure-is-your-junk-sort/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Mature people never make difference of opinion a means of conflict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fethullah-gulen/mature-people-never-make-difference-of-opinion-a-means-of-conflict/) [Fethullah Gulen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fethullah-gulen/) > [You will find that there is no other difference of opinion as regards any portions of the Universe, except that the philosophers believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maimonides/you-will-find-that-there-is-no-other-difference-of-opinion-as-regards/) [Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maimonides/) > [If a fool keeps his mouth shut, there will be no difference of opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-taqi-usmani/if-a-fool-keeps-his-mouth-shut-there-will-be-no-difference-of-opinion/) Muhammad Taqi Usmani ## 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 Accustomed quotes > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. 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