--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The best principles of our republic…" description: "\"The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg" --- # The best principles of our republic secure to all its… ![“The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg) > “The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.” [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 ideal is equal rights for every citizen, forming the republic’s foundation. **In simple terms:** All citizens should have equal rights. Key Takeaway Promote universal equality. Themes equality citizenship law Mood serious hopeful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - education reform - civil rights activism Key Concepts human rights democracy Questions to Reflect On - What barriers prevent true equality? - How can institutions enforce equal rights? A Different Perspective Perfect equality is hard to achieve in practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Citizenship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Equality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/equality/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) ## Related quotes > [Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to every religious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/among-the-features-peculiar-to-the-political-system-of-the-united-2/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Among the features peculiar to the political system of the United States, is the perfect equality of rights which it secures to every religious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/among-the-features-peculiar-to-the-political-system-of-the-united/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [A return to first principles in a republic is sometimes caused by the simple virtues of one man. His good example has such an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/a-return-to-first-principles-in-a-republic-is-sometimes-caused-by-the/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“The great presidents never forget the principles of the republic and seek to preserve and enhance them--in the long run--without undermining the needs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-friedman/the-great-presidents-never-forget-the-principles-of-the-republic-and/) [George Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-friedman/) > [The basis, the corner-stone of this Government, was the perfect equality of the free, sovereign, and independent States which made it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/the-basis-the-corner-stone-of-this-government-was-the-perfect/) [Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/) > [German equality of rights is the prerequisite for any participation on Germany's part in international conventions and agreements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/german-equality-of-rights-is-the-prerequisite-for-any-participation/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [“Freedom is essentially a condition of inequality, not equality. It recognizes as a fact of nature the structural differences inherent in man — in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-chodorov/freedom-is-essentially-a-condition-of-inequality-not-equality-it/) [Frank Chodorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-chodorov/) > [It is always to be taken for granted, that those who oppose an equality of rights never mean the exclusion should take place on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/it-is-always-to-be-taken-for-granted-that-those-who-oppose-an/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [The equality of rights of all citizens is the basic tenet of modern democratic societies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-maritain/the-equality-of-rights-of-all-citizens-is-the-basic-tenet-of-modern/) [Jacques Maritain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-maritain/) > [Either one is factually equal, and consequently morally equal as well; on the other hand, if one is morally equal, there is no reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/either-one-is-factually-equal-and-consequently-morally-equal-as-well/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-paul/equality-of-rights-under-the-law-shall-not-be-denied-or-abridged-by/) [Alice Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-paul/) > [Equality, in a social sense, may be divided into that of condition, and that of rights. Equality of condition is incompatible with civilization, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-cooper/equality-in-a-social-sense-may-be-divided-into-that-of-condition-and/) [James F. Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-cooper/) > [I wore a uniform to stand up for all rights and that means I don't pick or choose which I defend, whether it's for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-o-toole/i-wore-a-uniform-to-stand-up-for-all-rights-and-that-means-i-don-t/) [Erin O'Toole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-o-toole/) > [Equality of rights means that some people cannot simply impose obligations on others, for the moral agency and rights of those others would then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-g-palmer/equality-of-rights-means-that-some-people-cannot-simply-impose/) [Tom G. Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-g-palmer/) > [The woman has the right to be emancipated from the position of a drudge or a toy. She is entitled to a full equality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-woman-has-the-right-to-be-emancipated-from-the-position-of-a/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## 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 Citizenship quotes > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [If you don't plan to live the Christian life totally committed to knowing your God and to walking in obedience to Him, then don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-arthur/if-you-don-t-plan-to-live-the-christian-life-totally-committed-to/) [Kay Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-arthur/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [There can be a debate on the Citizenship Amendment Act, but why should we shelter someone who has come to India illegally from outside?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-thackeray/there-can-be-a-debate-on-the-citizenship-amendment-act-but-why-should/) [Raj Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raj-thackeray/) > [Motherland is our property and we have right to handle our properties as pleased. The jokes about death for the sake of the motherland…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/motherland-is-our-property-and-we-have-right-to-handle-our-properties/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Your best friends are your principles, if you havent them, dont look for another friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/your-best-friends-are-your-principles-if-you-havent-them-dont-look/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [The point I wish plainly to bring before you on this occasion is the individuality of each human soul--our Protestant idea, the right of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-point-i-wish-plainly-to-bring-before-you-on-this-occasion-is-the/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [A strong saying is not afraid of criticism, because it includes all the answers to criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/a-strong-saying-is-not-afraid-of-criticism-because-it-includes-all/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [Undeniably, character does count for our citizens, out communities, and our Nation, and this week we celebrate the importance of character in our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/undeniably-character-does-count-for-our-citizens-out-communities-and/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) > [“Encouraging Robert E. Lee to take a job as college president, "You might be presenting to the world in such a position an example…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-nelson-pendleton/encouraging-robert-e-lee-to-take-a-job-as-college-president-you-might/) William Nelson Pendleton > [“What constitutes an American? Not color nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-ickes/what-constitutes-an-american-not-color-nor-race-nor-religion-not-the/) Harold Ickes > [In an age of interdependence, global citizenship - based on trust and sense of shared responsibility - is a crucial pillar of progress. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/in-an-age-of-interdependence-global-citizenship-based-on-trust-and/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [Strengthening our identity is one way of reinforcing people's confidence and sense of citizenship and well-being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-blunkett/strengthening-our-identity-is-one-way-of-reinforcing-people-s/) [David Blunkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-blunkett/) > [We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice, we are to drive a spoke into the wheel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/we-are-not-to-simply-bandage-the-wounds-of-victims-beneath-the-wheels/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) [Browse all 793 Citizenship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/citizenship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secure-to-all-its-citizens-a/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Citizenship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secure-to-all-its-citizens-a/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/312/thomas-jefferson-43_citizenship_the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secu_139945.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The best principles of our republic secure to all its citizens a perfect equality of rights.” — 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": "The best principles of our republic...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secure-to-all-its-citizens-a/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-best-principles-of-our-republic-secure-to-all-its-citizens-a/#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 } } ] } ```