--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That these are our grievances which we…" description: "\"That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claim..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg" --- # That these are our grievances which we have thus laid… ![“That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg) > “That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.” [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 quote asserts that people’s rights stem from natural law, not from the authority of a ruler, emphasizing freedom of speech and the right to claim those rights. **In simple terms:** Rights come from nature, not rulers. Key Takeaway Recognize natural rights and speak freely. Themes freedom rights natural law political theory Mood determined principled Type political philosophical When to use this quote - political activism - legal reform - civil discourse - human rights advocacy Key Concepts Social contract natural rights sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - What natural rights do you consider fundamental? - How do you balance authority with individual freedom? A Different Perspective Assumes universal agreement on natural law, which may be contested. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/) [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Free people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-people/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Grievance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grievance/) [Grievances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grievances/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws of nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-of-nature/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Rights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rights/) [Sentiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentiments/) ## Related quotes > [We're here, there, not here, not there, swirling like specks of dust, claiming for ourselves the rights of the universe. Being important, being nothing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/we-re-here-there-not-here-not-there-swirling-like-specks-of-dust/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [ 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/) > [A free people claim their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their magistrate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-free-people-claim-their-rights-as-derived-from-the-laws-of-nature/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Individual grievances and pet peeves have got to go by the wayside. Generally, you don't have to worry about the guys who are playing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-alston/individual-grievances-and-pet-peeves-have-got-to-go-by-the-wayside/) [Walter Alston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-alston/) > [It is easier to recount grievances and slights than it is to set down a broad redress of such grievances and slights. The reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-kenny/it-is-easier-to-recount-grievances-and-slights-than-it-is-to-set-down/) [Elizabeth Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kenny/) > [When you talk about your troubles, your ailments, your diseases, your hurts, you give longer life to what makes you unhappy. Talking about your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-dreier/when-you-talk-about-your-troubles-your-ailments-your-diseases-your/) [Thomas Dreier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-dreier/) > [She released her grievances like handfuls of birdseed: They are there, and they are gone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/she-released-her-grievances-like-handfuls-of-birdseed-they-are-there/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [Grievances cannot be redressed until they are known; and they cannot be known but through complaints and petitions. If these are deemed affronts, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/grievances-cannot-be-redressed-until-they-are-known-and-they-cannot/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Every man should bear his own grievances rather than detract from the comforts of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/every-man-should-bear-his-own-grievances-rather-than-detract-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Let our opportunities overshadow our grievances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/let-our-opportunities-overshadow-our-grievances/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [We are the ones who suffer when we hold on to past grievances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/we-are-the-ones-who-suffer-when-we-hold-on-to-past-grievances/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [There have always been grievances and youth has always been the agitator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-o-douglas/there-have-always-been-grievances-and-youth-has-always-been-the/) [William O. Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-o-douglas/) > [If you would make yourself agreeable wherever you go, listen to the grievances of others but never relate your own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/if-you-would-make-yourself-agreeable-wherever-you-go-listen-to-the/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [You cannot rectify grievances from the past with today's charity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/you-cannot-rectify-grievances-from-the-past-with-today-s-charity/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [Never repeat old grievances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/never-repeat-old-grievances/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) ## 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 revolution quotes > [I certainly don't think that the heirs of the American Revolution were a particularly noble class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-w-brands/i-certainly-don-t-think-that-the-heirs-of-the-american-revolution/) [H. W. Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-w-brands/) > [“Patriotism is a fierce love for the nation’s soul - its land, its people, its core, coupled with a burning contempt for a government…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/njau-kihia/patriotism-is-a-fierce-love-for-the-nation-s-soul-its-land-its-people/) Njau Kihia > [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/) [William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/) > [The shot heard round the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-shot-heard-round-the-world/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [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/) > [“Socially, politically, economically, militarily, culturally, racially, sexually, demographically, even mythologically, World War II was the crucible that forged modern America. It was the transforming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haynes-johnson/socially-politically-economically-militarily-culturally-racially/) Haynes Johnson > [But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/but-what-do-we-mean-by-the-american-revolution-do-we-mean-the/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/crouch-down-and-lick-the-hands-which-feed-you-may-your-chains-sit/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“The British government in 1807 had issued the “Orders in Council,” which enforced a naval blockade against France, and with a shortage of seamen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/the-british-government-in-1807-had-issued-the-orders-in-council-which/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [“There were counter-protests, of course, and in the end Mapplethorpe’s work was exhibited, but the message to the arts community was clear: stray too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-were-counter-protests-of-course-and-in-the-end-mapplethorpe-s/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [During the whole time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three sentences together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/during-the-whole-time-i-sat-with-him-in-congress-i-never-heard-him/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Wyoming got an Algonquian name from Pennsylvania meaning “large prairie,” but the adoption came only after a long fight. Decades before the settling of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/wyoming-got-an-algonquian-name-from-pennsylvania-meaning-large/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Obama is now fighting for his life. He's fighting for a federal government. I believe in a federal government. I hope it sticks around.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-stone/obama-is-now-fighting-for-his-life-he-s-fighting-for-a-federal/) [Oliver Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-stone/) > [But I'm a daughter of the American revolution, my grandpa fought in World War II, I have lots of family members who were in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-pavlich/but-i-m-a-daughter-of-the-american-revolution-my-grandpa-fought-in/) [Katie Pavlich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-pavlich/) > [ “The important point of this report \[Montague, Massachusetts; July 7, 1774\] may be summed up in six resolutions: 1. We approve of the plan… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-pearson-pressey/the-important-point-of-this-report-montague-massachusetts-july-7-1774/) [Edward Pearson Pressey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-pearson-pressey/) [Browse all 329 American revolution quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-revolution/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and sentiment which becomes a free people claiming their rights as derived from the laws of nature, and not as the gift of their chief magistrate.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-have-thus-laid-before-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "American revolution" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-have-thus-laid-before-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de9/thomas-jefferson-43_american-revolution_that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-h_1197424.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“That these are our grievances which we have thus laid before his majesty, with that freedom of language and…” — 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": "That these are our grievances which...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-have-thus-laid-before-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/that-these-are-our-grievances-which-we-have-thus-laid-before-his/#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 } } ] } ```