--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of distinction by birth or badge…" description: "\"Of distinction by birth or badge, [Americans] had no more idea than they had of the mode of existence in the moon or planets. They had heard only that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/896/thomas-jefferson-43_badges_of-distinction-by-birth-or-badge-america_767499.jpg" --- # Of distinction by birth or badge, \[Americans\] had no more… ![“Of distinction by birth or badge, [Americans] had no more idea than they had of the mode of existence in the moon or planets. They had heard only that there were such, and knew that they must be wrong.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/896/thomas-jefferson-43_badges_of-distinction-by-birth-or-badge-america_767499.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/896/thomas-jefferson-43_badges_of-distinction-by-birth-or-badge-america_767499.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/896/thomas-jefferson-43_badges_of-distinction-by-birth-or-badge-america_767499.jpg) > “Of distinction by birth or badge, \[Americans\] had no more idea than they had of the mode of existence in the moon or planets. They had heard only that there were such, and knew that they must be wrong.” [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. People often assume knowledge without evidence, mistaking ignorance for certainty. **In simple terms:** Assuming knowledge without proof leads to error. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before accepting them. Themes ignorance assumption knowledge Mood skeptical reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - scientific inquiry - public discourse Key Concepts epistemology critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you hold without proof? - How can you test them? A Different Perspective Assumptions can be hard to recognize without evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Birth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/birth/) [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Inalienable rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inalienable-rights/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moon/) [Positive atheism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-atheism/) ## Related quotes > [An equal application of law to every condition of man is fundamental.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/an-equal-application-of-law-to-every-condition-of-man-is-fundamental/) [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 inalienable rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-5/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-mutually-pledge-to-each-other-our-lives-our-fortunes-and-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ The evidence of \[the\] natural right \[of expatriation\], like that of our right to life, liberty, the use of our faculties, the pursuit of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-evidence-of-the-natural-right-of-expatriation-like-that-of-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [To unequal privileges among members of the same society the spirit of our nation is, with one accord, adverse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-unequal-privileges-among-members-of-the-same-society-the-spirit-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The principles on which we engaged, of which the charter of our independence is the record, were sanctioned by the laws of our being,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-principles-on-which-we-engaged-of-which-the-charter-of-our/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ That liberty \[is pure\] which is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/that-liberty-is-pure-which-is-to-go-to-all-and-not-to-the-few-or-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ Man \[is\] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/man-is-a-rational-animal-endowed-by-nature-with-rights-and-with-an/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Questions of natural right are triable by their conformity with the moral sense and reason of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/questions-of-natural-right-are-triable-by-their-conformity-with-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ A free people \[claim\] their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-free-people-claim-their-rights-as-derived-from-the-laws-of-nature-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In a government bottomed on the will of all, the... liberty of every individual citizen becomes interesting to all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-a-government-bottomed-on-the-will-of-all-the-liberty-of-every/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Law is often the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/law-is-often-the-tyrant-s-will-and-always-so-when-it-violates-the/) [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 inalienable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [In America, no other distinction between man and man had ever been known but that of persons in office exercising powers by authority of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/in-america-no-other-distinction-between-man-and-man-had-ever-been/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A generation may bind itself as long as its majority continues in life; when that has disappeared, another majority is in place, holds all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-generation-may-bind-itself-as-long-as-its-majority-continues-in/) [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 Badges quotes > [Women still, when they have breast cancer, go to work; they still lead their lives. They have to. I just did what I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica-potter/women-still-when-they-have-breast-cancer-go-to-work-they-still-lead/) [Monica Potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica-potter/) > [This is what I say about the scorn of the media elite: I wear their scorn as a badge of honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-quayle/this-is-what-i-say-about-the-scorn-of-the-media-elite-i-wear-their/) [Dan Quayle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-quayle/) > [But despite their heroic acts, the Vietnam Veterans of America continued to struggle to establish a combat badge in honor of these brave pilots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-holden/but-despite-their-heroic-acts-the-vietnam-veterans-of-america/) [Tim Holden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-holden/) > [It is utterly exhausting being Black in America - physically, mentally, and emotionally. While many minority groups and women feel similar stress, there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/it-is-utterly-exhausting-being-black-in-america-physically-mentally/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [“Ideas on Earth were badges of friendship or enmity. Their content did not matter. Friends agreed with friends, in order to express friendliness. Enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/ideas-on-earth-were-badges-of-friendship-or-enmity-their-content-did/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [A woman with cut hair is a filthy spectacle, and much like a monsterit being natural and comely to women to nourish their hair,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-prynne/a-woman-with-cut-hair-is-a-filthy-spectacle-and-much-like-a-monsterit/) [William Prynne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-prynne/) > [It's an honour to wear the shirt and the badge, and to be part of such an illustrious club is gonna be exciting, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asmir-begovic/it-s-an-honour-to-wear-the-shirt-and-the-badge-and-to-be-part-of-such/) Asmir Begovic > [There still remains one effort of magnanimity, one sacrifice of prejudice and passion, to be made by the individuals throughout the nation who have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/there-still-remains-one-effort-of-magnanimity-one-sacrifice-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [I'm not going to allow anybody to hold a badge up over me or a cross or any other power symbol and say I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-t/i-m-not-going-to-allow-anybody-to-hold-a-badge-up-over-me-or-a-cross/) [Ice T](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-t/) > [Yeah, I love living in New York, man, and people who live in New York, we wear that fact like a badge right on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-leary/yeah-i-love-living-in-new-york-man-and-people-who-live-in-new-york-we/) [Denis Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-leary/) > [One bad review doesn't ruin my day because I realize what a badge of honor it is to get a bit of criticism at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/one-bad-review-doesn-t-ruin-my-day-because-i-realize-what-a-badge-of/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Brotherly love is still the distinguishing badge of every true Christian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/brotherly-love-is-still-the-distinguishing-badge-of-every-true/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [Appalling numbers of youth have been led into a cynical ultra-sophisticated attitude which regards drinking as a badge of social aptitude, which makes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-parker-yockey/appalling-numbers-of-youth-have-been-led-into-a-cynical-ultra/) [Francis Parker Yockey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-parker-yockey/) > [The title of Christian is a reproach to us, if we estrange ourselves from Him after whom we are denominated. The name of Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/the-title-of-christian-is-a-reproach-to-us-if-we-estrange-ourselves/) [William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/) > [As long as our civilisation keeps trundling along generally forwards, then there is the possibility of a future where ethnicity is merely an interesting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mitchell/as-long-as-our-civilisation-keeps-trundling-along-generally-forwards/) [David Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mitchell/) Browse all 197 Badges quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Of distinction by birth or badge, [Americans] had no more idea than they had of the mode of existence in the moon or planets. 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