--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Lay down true principles and adhere to…" description: "\"Lay down true principles and adhere to them inflexibly. Do not be frightened into their surrender by the alarms of the timid, or the croakings of wealt..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b3/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_lay-down-true-principles-and-adhere-to-t_2984054.jpg" --- # Lay down true principles and adhere to them inflexibly. Do… ![“Lay down true principles and adhere to them inflexibly. Do not be frightened into their surrender by the alarms of the timid, or the croakings of wealth against the ascendency of the people.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b3/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_lay-down-true-principles-and-adhere-to-t_2984054.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b3/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_lay-down-true-principles-and-adhere-to-t_2984054.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b3/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_lay-down-true-principles-and-adhere-to-t_2984054.jpg) > “Lay down true principles and adhere to them inflexibly. Do not be frightened into their surrender by the alarms of the timid, or the croakings of wealth against the ascendency of the people.” [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. Firm adherence to principles resists pressure from fear or wealth, protecting the people’s interests. **In simple terms:** Stick to principles despite fear or money. Key Takeaway Uphold core values steadfastly. Themes principles integrity politics power people Mood determined serious Type political ethical When to use this quote - political speeches - activism - policy debates Key Concepts ethical steadfastness civic duty Questions to Reflect On - When should flexibility be considered? - How to balance principle and pragmatism? A Different Perspective Rigid adherence may ignore necessary compromise. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adhere Inflexibly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adhere-inflexibly-4655936/) [Alarms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alarms/) [Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frightened/) [Inflexibly Frightened](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inflexibly-frightened-4655937/) [Lays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lays/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Principles Adhere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles-adhere-4655935/) [Surrender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surrender/) [True Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-principles-1073388/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen states in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-late-rebellion-in-massachusetts-has-given-more-alarm-than-i-think/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This hour we are stretching forth our hands with the desire to teach the world the true principles of mercy and justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-garvey/this-hour-we-are-stretching-forth-our-hands-with-the-desire-to-teach/) [Marcus Garvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-garvey/) > [Sir, I wish to understand the true principles of the Government. I wish them carried out. I ask nothing more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-harrison/sir-i-wish-to-understand-the-true-principles-of-the-government-i-wish/) [William Henry Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-harrison/) > [It is necessary to bear in mind that Scripture only teaches the chief points of those true principles which lead to the true perfection…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maimonides/it-is-necessary-to-bear-in-mind-that-scripture-only-teaches-the-chief/) [Maimonides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maimonides/) > [Honesty is a principle. Service is a principle. Love is a principle. Hard work is a principle. Respect, gratitude, moderation, fairness, integrity, loyalty, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-covey/honesty-is-a-principle-service-is-a-principle-love-is-a-principle/) [Sean Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-covey/) > [“Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately, fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/cherish-your-friends-stay-true-to-your-principles-live-passionately-2/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [To discover the true principles of Morality, men have no need of theology, of revelation, or of gods: They have need only of common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach/to-discover-the-true-principles-of-morality-men-have-no-need-of-2/) [Baron d'Holbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-d-holbach/) > [It is certainly true that principles cannot be more securely founded than on experience and consciously clear thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/it-is-certainly-true-that-principles-cannot-be-more-securely-founded/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Peace of mind comes when your life is in harmony with true principles and values and in no other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/peace-of-mind-comes-when-your-life-is-in-harmony-with-true-principles/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [The way I have progressed as a writer over the years is to try and stay true to the principles I absorbed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-chapman/the-way-i-have-progressed-as-a-writer-over-the-years-is-to-try-and/) [Rob Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-chapman/) > [“Modern scientific findings harmonize with revelation through the ages. No conflict exists between the gospel and any truth … All true principles are a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/modern-scientific-findings-harmonize-with-revelation-through-the-ages/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [“Cherish your friends, stay true to your principles, live passionately fully and well. Experience new things. Love and be loved if at all possible”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/cherish-your-friends-stay-true-to-your-principles-live-passionately/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [You must be always true to your principles and profound ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/you-must-be-always-true-to-your-principles-and-profound-ideals/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [“We should gather all the good and true principles in the world and treasure them up, or we shall not come out true Mormons.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-smith/we-should-gather-all-the-good-and-true-principles-in-the-world-and/) [Joseph Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-smith/) > [“If one abandons their principles when tested by struggle, they were never true principles but advertisements for character they never possessed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiffany-madison/if-one-abandons-their-principles-when-tested-by-struggle-they-were/) [Tiffany Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiffany-madison/) ## 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 Alarms quotes > [Were the life of man prolonged, he would become such a proficient in villainy, that it would become necessary again to drown or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/were-the-life-of-man-prolonged-he-would-become-such-a-proficient-in/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [There's a statement from several members of the Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, including the Democratic leader, Charles Schumer; John McCain, the chair of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stephanopoulos/there-s-a-statement-from-several-members-of-the-senate-both-democrats/) [George Stephanopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stephanopoulos/) > [Here in the UK the audience immediately reacts and they get the fact that: "What would be the most annoying thing in the world?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-jones/here-in-the-uk-the-audience-immediately-reacts-and-they-get-the-fact/) [Duncan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-jones/) > [It is a hard matter for a man to lie all over, nature having provided king's evidence in almost every member. The hand will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/it-is-a-hard-matter-for-a-man-to-lie-all-over-nature-having-provided/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Who then is free? the wise man who is lord over himself; Whom neither poverty nor death, nor chains alarm; strong to withstand his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/who-then-is-free-the-wise-man-who-is-lord-over-himself-whom-neither/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Modern man threw a brick through his own window in order to sell himself a burglar alarm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-carr/modern-man-threw-a-brick-through-his-own-window-in-order-to-sell/) [Allen Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-carr/) > [I understand the power and the alarm of words - Not those that they applaud from theatre-boxes, but those which make coffins break from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-mayakovsky/i-understand-the-power-and-the-alarm-of-words-not-those-that-they/) [Vladimir Mayakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-mayakovsky/) > [I don't know who Azazel is," he said. 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He cast about , but Isabelle just looked up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-know-who-azazel-is-he-said-isn-t-he-the-cat-from-the-smurfs/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The beloved may be treacherous, greasy-headed and given to evil habits, or else it can be a man in his late forties who works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/the-beloved-may-be-treacherous-greasy-headed-and-given-to-evil-habits/) [Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/) > [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Unfortunately, I'm one of those idiots who knows everything about health and is in a constant state of alarm, and yet I continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-ames/unfortunately-i-m-one-of-those-idiots-who-knows-everything-about/) [Jonathan Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-ames/) > [“batteries in the smoke alarms, and since he “just happened”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-lawson-timmer/batteries-in-the-smoke-alarms-and-since-he-just-happened/) [Julie Lawson Timmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-lawson-timmer/) > [When I see a new face, something sets off an alarm bell inside me. 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