--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Should [reformers] attempt more than the…" description: "\"Should [reformers] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all and retard indefinitely the ultimate object o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg" --- # Should \[reformers\] attempt more than the established… ![“Should [reformers] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all and retard indefinitely the ultimate object of their aim.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg) > “Should \[reformers\] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all and retard indefinitely the ultimate object of their aim.” [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. The author cautions that pushing reforms beyond what people are ready for can backfire, potentially derailing the reform’s ultimate goal. **In simple terms:** Pushing change too fast can ruin the cause. Key Takeaway Advance reforms at a pace people accept. Themes reform social change public sentiment Mood reflective cautious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy advocacy - community organizing - legislative drafting - public education Key Concepts gradualism political risk social readiness Questions to Reflect On - How can you gauge public readiness for reform? - What methods balance speed and acceptance? A Different Perspective Too cautious approach may stall needed progress; resistance may persist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Habits People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-people-261337/) [Lose Retard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-retard-2112910/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reformers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reformers/) [Reformers Attempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reformers-attempt-2112909/) [Retard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retard/) [Retard Indefinitely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/retard-indefinitely-2112911/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Ripe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ripe/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Ultimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultimate/) ## Related quotes > [The office of reformer of the superstitions of a nation, is ever more dangerous. Jesus had to work on the perilous confines of reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-office-of-reformer-of-the-superstitions-of-a-nation-is-ever-more/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The office of reformer of the superstitions of a nation is ever dangerous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-office-of-reformer-of-the-superstitions-of-a-nation-is-ever/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Politics, like religion, hold up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/politics-like-religion-hold-up-the-torches-of-martyrdom-to-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“the National Research Council (NRC) hired a team of anthropologists, led by the venerable Margaret Mead, to study American food habits. How do people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-roach/the-national-research-council-nrc-hired-a-team-of-anthropologists-led/) [Mary Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-roach/) > [For as good habits of the people require good laws to support them, so laws, to be observed, need good habits on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-as-good-habits-of-the-people-require-good-laws-to-support-them-so/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [The power of a movement lies in the fact that it can indeed change the habits of people. This change is not the result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-biko/the-power-of-a-movement-lies-in-the-fact-that-it-can-indeed-change/) [Steven Biko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-biko/) > [Some rules are nothing but old habits that people are afraid to change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/some-rules-are-nothing-but-old-habits-that-people-are-afraid-to-change/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being thankful and saying thanks are two habits of people who've discovered what it means to succeed in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-urban/being-thankful-and-saying-thanks-are-two-habits-of-people-who-ve/) [Hal Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-urban/) > [“The very rich and those who long to be so, Tibbs, are often odd birds, who only dirty their cages when others aren’t looking.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-lawson/the-very-rich-and-those-who-long-to-be-so-tibbs-are-often-odd-birds/) [Jessica Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-lawson/) > [ Curious things, habits. People themselves never knew they had them. \[Witness for the Prosecution, also published in The Hound of Death and Other Stories.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/curious-things-habits-people-themselves-never-knew-they-had-them-2/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [This over-consumption is also manifest in our use of raw materials. It can even be found in our dietary habits... . People are well…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yehuda-levi/this-over-consumption-is-also-manifest-in-our-use-of-raw-materials-it/) [Yehuda Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yehuda-levi/) > [Curious things, habits. People themselves never knew they had them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/curious-things-habits-people-themselves-never-knew-they-had-them/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [I don't have any bad habbits. They might be bad habits for other people, but they're all right for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eubie-blake/i-don-t-have-any-bad-habbits-they-might-be-bad-habits-for-other/) [Eubie Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eubie-blake/) > [Children copy their parents, friends, and teachers. They will develop the habits of the people around them. So if you want your child to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baba-hari-dass/children-copy-their-parents-friends-and-teachers-they-will-develop/) [Baba Hari Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baba-hari-dass/) > [“The vital difference between dreamers and achievers boils down to some very basic, simple habits. People with clear, \*written-out\* goals who consistently honor their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chalene-johnson/the-vital-difference-between-dreamers-and-achievers-boils-down-to/) [Chalene Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chalene-johnson/) ## 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 Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ He \[an earnest young reporter\] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Should [reformers] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all and retard indefinitely the ultimate object of their aim.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-established-habits-of-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aim" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-established-habits-of-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d7b/thomas-jefferson-43_aim_should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-e_1810836.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Should [reformers] attempt more than the established habits of the people are ripe for, they may lose all…” — 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": "Should [reformers] attempt more than the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-established-habits-of-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/should-reformers-attempt-more-than-the-established-habits-of-the/#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 } } ] } ```