--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ...legitimate powers of government reach…" description: "\"“...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people wh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5d/thomas-jefferson-43_american-people_legitimate-powers-of-government-reach-ac_422796.jpg" --- # ...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, &… ![“...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5d/thomas-jefferson-43_american-people_legitimate-powers-of-government-reach-ac_422796.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5d/thomas-jefferson-43_american-people_legitimate-powers-of-government-reach-ac_422796.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5d/thomas-jefferson-43_american-people_legitimate-powers-of-government-reach-ac_422796.jpg) > ““...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State . Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.”” [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 argues government power should be limited to actions, not opinions, emphasizing separation of church and state to protect natural rights. **In simple terms:** Government should act, not dictate beliefs; keep church and state separate. Key Takeaway Support policies that maintain religious freedom and civic duty. Themes religious liberty government limits natural rights civic responsibility Mood thoughtful serious inquisitive Type philosophical political historical When to use this quote - legislative debates - court rulings - public policy - education curricula Key Concepts separation of powers constitutional law individual conscience Questions to Reflect On - How should societies handle conflicts between religious beliefs and laws? - What role should personal conscience play in civic duties? A Different Perspective Balancing religious expression with public policy can be contentious. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) [Civil rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-rights/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Natural rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-rights/) [Organized religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organized-religion/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Separation of church and state](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/separation-of-church-and-state/) ## Related quotes > [ \[O\]ur rules can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/o-ur-rules-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subject to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-error-seems-not-sufficiently-eradicated-that-the-operations-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/but-our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/no-provision-in-our-constitution-ought-to-be-dearer-to-man-than-that/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/though-we-may-now-think-some-sins-light-and-little-if-the-lord-awaken/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [I am anchored on a resolve you cannot shake. My heart, my conscience shall dispose of my hand - they only. Know this at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-am-anchored-on-a-resolve-you-cannot-shake-my-heart-my-conscience/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Resolved, That all laws which prevent women from occupying such a station in society as her conscience shall dictate, or which place her in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/resolved-that-all-laws-which-prevent-women-from-occupying-such-a/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [ \[T\]he bill exceeds the rightful authority to which governments are limited by the essential distinction between civil and religious functions, and violates in particular… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/t-he-bill-exceeds-the-rightful-authority-to-which-governments-are/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/united-states-congress/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or/) United States Congress > [Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-george/congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting-an-establishment-of-religion-or-2/) [Henry George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-george/) > [“It may be that the most striking thing about members of my literary generation in retrospect will be that we were allowed to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut-jr/it-may-be-that-the-most-striking-thing-about-members-of-my-literary/) [Kurt Vonnegut Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut-jr/) > [The First Amendment only says 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.' It can disrespect all it wants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/the-first-amendment-only-says-congress-shall-make-no-law-respecting/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Democracy is not just constitutional and legislative rules; it is a culture and practice and adhering by the law and respecting international human rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa/democracy-is-not-just-constitutional-and-legislative-rules-it-is-a/) [Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamad-bin-isa-al-khalifa/) > [Our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-rulers-can-have-authority-over-such-natural-rights-only-as-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ It \[appears\] that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-appears-that-however-certain-forms-of-government-are-better/) [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 American people quotes > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [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/) > [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Given a choice between two bald political candidates, the American people will vote for the less bald of the two.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-gold/given-a-choice-between-two-bald-political-candidates-the-american/) Victor Gold > [When the American people saw the LA riots and crowds of Blacks cheering O.J. Simpson (who was acquitted by the almost all Black jury),…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-duke/when-the-american-people-saw-the-la-riots-and-crowds-of-blacks/) [David Duke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-duke/) > [In any event, it is one thing to assert, then or now, that the Iraq war was ill-advised. It is quite another to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-silberman/in-any-event-it-is-one-thing-to-assert-then-or-now-that-the-iraq-war/) [Laurence Silberman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-silberman/) > [Well look, CIA is an agency that has to collect intelligence, do operations. We have to take risks and it's important that we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-panetta/well-look-cia-is-an-agency-that-has-to-collect-intelligence-do/) [Leon Panetta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-panetta/) > [I don't know a politician who enjoys fundraising. The system is such that the American people have lost faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/i-don-t-know-a-politician-who-enjoys-fundraising-the-system-is-such/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [Probably the greatest single obstacle to the progress and happiness of the American people lies in the willingness of so many men to invest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-rockefeller/probably-the-greatest-single-obstacle-to-the-progress-and-happiness/) [John D. Rockefeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-rockefeller/) > [If a financial institution has business operations in the United States, hires people in the United States, if they are clogged with illiquid assets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-paulson/if-a-financial-institution-has-business-operations-in-the-united/) [Henry Paulson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-paulson/) > [The American people reject the idea of giving Washington a blank check to increase the debt limit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-roby/the-american-people-reject-the-idea-of-giving-washington-a-blank/) [Martha Roby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-roby/) > [The coronavirus has yet again exposed the strong contrast between President Trump - who is working ardently for the American people - and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kayleigh-mcenany/the-coronavirus-has-yet-again-exposed-the-strong-contrast-between/) [Kayleigh McEnany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kayleigh-mcenany/) > [The American people demand results, not rhetoric, especially when it comes to national security issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-hayworth/the-american-people-demand-results-not-rhetoric-especially-when-it/) [J. D. Hayworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-hayworth/) > [Hillary Clinton truly is sincere, but she has to connect more with the American people in terms of what she believes in and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/hillary-clinton-truly-is-sincere-but-she-has-to-connect-more-with-the/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [The American people are incredibly generous and even playful when you open yourself up and feed the media beast until it goes away satisfied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krystal-ball/the-american-people-are-incredibly-generous-and-even-playful-when-you/) [Krystal Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krystal-ball/) [Browse all 2,233 American people quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-people/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“...legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church & State . 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