--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by…" description: "\"Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg" --- # Man \[is\] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights… ![“Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg) > “Man \[is\] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.” [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. Humans are rational beings with inherent rights and an innate sense of justice. **In simple terms:** Humans have rights and a sense of justice. Key Takeaway Respect rationality and justice in others. Themes rights justice rationality human nature ethics Mood analytical inspirational Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legal reform - education - community leadership Key Concepts political theory philosophy law Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance rationality and emotion? - What actions uphold justice today? A Different Perspective Rationality can be clouded by emotion; justice is often contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Animal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Inalienable rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inalienable-rights/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Self-government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government/) ## Related quotes > [Man is a rational animal—so at least I have been told. … Aristotle, so far as I know, was the first man to proclaim…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/man-is-a-rational-animal-so-at-least-i-have-been-told-aristotle-so/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Man is a rational animal. But that does not mean that he is a reasonable animal. It means only that he has reason, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sheed/man-is-a-rational-animal-but-that-does-not-mean-that-he-is-a/) [Frank Sheed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sheed/) > [I wonder who it was defined man as a rational animal. It was the most premature definition ever given. Man is many things, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-wonder-who-it-was-defined-man-as-a-rational-animal-it-was-the-most/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“One is tempted to define man as a rational animal who always loses his temper when he is called upon to act in accordance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/one-is-tempted-to-define-man-as-a-rational-animal-who-always-loses/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Man is a rational animal. He can think up a reason for anything he wants to believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/man-is-a-rational-animal-he-can-think-up-a-reason-for-anything-he/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/it-has-been-said-that-man-is-a-rational-animal-all-my-life-i-have/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Man is a rational animal – so at least I have been told. Throughout a long life, I have looked diligently for evidence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/man-is-a-rational-animal-so-at-least-i-have-been-told-throughout-a/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“The only thing rational about man, the rational animal, is his ability to rationalize his own present position.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-macdiarmid/the-only-thing-rational-about-man-the-rational-animal-is-his-ability/) Allen MacDiarmid > [“The security of society lies in custom and unconscious instinct, and the basis of the stability of society, as a healthy organism, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-security-of-society-lies-in-custom-and-unconscious-instinct-and-2/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [We must not suppose that, because a man is a rational animal, he will, therefore, always act rationally; or, because he has such or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doug-stanhope/we-must-not-suppose-that-because-a-man-is-a-rational-animal-he-will/) [Doug Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doug-stanhope/) > [Man is a rational animal. So at least we have been told. Throughout a long life I have searched diligently for evidence in favor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/man-is-a-rational-animal-so-at-least-we-have-been-told-throughout-a/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [All the evidence of history suggests that man is indeed a rational animal, but with a near infinite capacity for folly. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/all-the-evidence-of-history-suggests-that-man-is-indeed-a-rational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Man is a rational animal who always loses his temper when he is called upon to act in accordance with the dictates of reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/man-is-a-rational-animal-who-always-loses-his-temper-when-he-is/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [Man is not a rational animal, he is a rationalizing animal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/man-is-not-a-rational-animal-he-is-a-rationalizing-animal/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/god-has-endowed-man-with-inalienable-rights-among-which-are-self/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) ## 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. 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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 Animal quotes > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. 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He becomes uniquely human when he reaches out for the superfluous and extravagant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-grubbing-for-necessities-man-is-still-an-animal-he-becomes/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'm 38 and I'm single, and I'm having my most intense and gratifying relationship with a dog. But we all learn about love in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-knapp/i-m-38-and-i-m-single-and-i-m-having-my-most-intense-and-gratifying/) [Caroline Knapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-knapp/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“it is a federal system of sadistic torture, vivisection, and animal genocide, which has been carried on for decades under the fraudulent guise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tobias/it-is-a-federal-system-of-sadistic-torture-vivisection-and-animal/) [Michael Tobias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tobias/) > [“What does it mean to be a self-conscious animal? The idea is ludicrous, if it is not monstrous. 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Francione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-l-francione/) [Browse all 13,456 Animal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-nature-with-rights-and-with-an/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Animal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-nature-with-rights-and-with-an/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/456/thomas-jefferson-43_animal_man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-natu_1678399.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Man [is] a rational animal, endowed...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-nature-with-rights-and-with-an/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-nature-with-rights-and-with-an/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```