--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The late rebellion in Massachusetts has…" description: "\"The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen states in the cours..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_the-late-rebellion-in-massachusetts-has_1296861.jpg" --- # The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm… ![“The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen states in the course of eleven years, is but one for each state in a century and a half. No country should be so long without one. Nor will any degree of power in the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_the-late-rebellion-in-massachusetts-has_1296861.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_the-late-rebellion-in-massachusetts-has_1296861.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/053/thomas-jefferson-43_alarms_the-late-rebellion-in-massachusetts-has_1296861.jpg) > “The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen states in the course of eleven years, is but one for each state in a century and a half. No country should be so long without one. Nor will any degree of power in the hands of government prevent insurrections.” [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. Frequent small rebellions indicate a healthy political system and prevent long-term tyranny. **In simple terms:** Rebellions keep government in check. Key Takeaway Accept occasional dissent as a safeguard. Themes politics government rebellion Mood concerned reflective Type political historical When to use this quote - citizenship - public discourse - government policy - civil unrest Key Concepts social contract checks and balances Questions to Reflect On - How can societies balance order and dissent? - What mechanisms prevent rebellion from becoming chaos? A Different Perspective Too many rebellions can destabilize society. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Insurrection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insurrection/) [Liberalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberalism/) [Massachusetts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/massachusetts/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Rebellion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebellion/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thirteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thirteen/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [An occasional insurrection will not weigh against the inconveniences of a government of force, such as are monarchies and aristocracies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/an-occasional-insurrection-will-not-weigh-against-the-inconveniences/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Why suspend the habeas corpus in insurrections and rebellions? Examine the history of England. See how few of the cases of the suspension of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/why-suspend-the-habeas-corpus-in-insurrections-and-rebellions-examine/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Even in Europe a change has sensibly taken place in the mind of man. Science has liberated the ideas of those who read and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/even-in-europe-a-change-has-sensibly-taken-place-in-the-mind-of-man/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Barry Goldwater has definitely decided to be a candidate in '64. He will campaign in all thirteen states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/barry-goldwater-has-definitely-decided-to-be-a-candidate-in-64-he/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [You might be a redneck if your favorite T-shirt is offensive in thirteen states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-foxworthy/you-might-be-a-redneck-if-your-favorite-t-shirt-is-offensive-in/) [Jeff Foxworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-foxworthy/) > [Let Americans disdain to be the instruments of European greatness! Let the thirteen States, bound together in a strict and indissoluble Union, concur in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/let-americans-disdain-to-be-the-instruments-of-european-greatness-let/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [“The Constitution was a compromise between slaveholding interests of the South and moneyed interests of the North. For the purpose of uniting the thirteen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/the-constitution-was-a-compromise-between-slaveholding-interests-of/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [ Thirteen states with a population less than that of New York State alone can prevent repeal \[of prohibition\] until Halley's comet returns. One might… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-darrow/thirteen-states-with-a-population-less-than-that-of-new-york-state/) [Clarence Darrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-darrow/) > [The Thirteen States are Thirteen Sovereign bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-ellsworth/the-thirteen-states-are-thirteen-sovereign-bodies/) [Oliver Ellsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-ellsworth/) > [“A year earlier, representatives of thirteen states had assembled in Philadelphia and declared their intention to form a more perfect union, but what had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-ketchum/a-year-earlier-representatives-of-thirteen-states-had-assembled-in/) [Richard M. Ketchum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-ketchum/) > [“By 1955 thirteen states had passed laws regulating the publication, distribution, and sale of comic books. Leading intellectuals, including C. Wright Mills, praised Wertham's efforts.70”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-patterson/by-1955-thirteen-states-had-passed-laws-regulating-the-publication/) [James T. Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-patterson/) > [“In school we chanted, along with our teacher, I am the Captain of my fate, I am the Master of my soul, and meanwhile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/in-school-we-chanted-along-with-our-teacher-i-am-the-captain-of-my/) [Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/) > [Slavery always has, and always will produce insurrections wherever it exists, because it is a violation of the natural order of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-grimke/slavery-always-has-and-always-will-produce-insurrections-wherever-it/) [Angelina Grimke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-grimke/) > [Insurrection, never so necessary, is a most sad necessity; and governors who wait for that to instruct them are surely getting into the fatalest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/insurrection-never-so-necessary-is-a-most-sad-necessity-and-governors/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Joy doesn't betray but sustains activism. And when you face a politics that aspires to make you fearful, alienated and isolated, joy is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/joy-doesn-t-betray-but-sustains-activism-and-when-you-face-a-politics/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) ## 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... 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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 Alarms quotes > [Were the life of man prolonged, he would become such a proficient in villainy, that it would become necessary again to drown or to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/were-the-life-of-man-prolonged-he-would-become-such-a-proficient-in/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [There's a statement from several members of the Senate, both Democrats and Republicans, including the Democratic leader, Charles Schumer; John McCain, the chair of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-stephanopoulos/there-s-a-statement-from-several-members-of-the-senate-both-democrats/) [George Stephanopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-stephanopoulos/) > [Here in the UK the audience immediately reacts and they get the fact that: "What would be the most annoying thing in the world?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duncan-jones/here-in-the-uk-the-audience-immediately-reacts-and-they-get-the-fact/) [Duncan Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duncan-jones/) > [It is a hard matter for a man to lie all over, nature having provided king's evidence in almost every member. The hand will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-allston/it-is-a-hard-matter-for-a-man-to-lie-all-over-nature-having-provided/) [Washington Allston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-allston/) > [Who then is free? the wise man who is lord over himself; Whom neither poverty nor death, nor chains alarm; strong to withstand his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/who-then-is-free-the-wise-man-who-is-lord-over-himself-whom-neither/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Modern man threw a brick through his own window in order to sell himself a burglar alarm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-carr/modern-man-threw-a-brick-through-his-own-window-in-order-to-sell/) [Allen Carr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-carr/) > [I understand the power and the alarm of words - Not those that they applaud from theatre-boxes, but those which make coffins break from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-mayakovsky/i-understand-the-power-and-the-alarm-of-words-not-those-that-they/) [Vladimir Mayakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-mayakovsky/) > [I don't know who Azazel is," he said. "Isn't he the cat from The Smurfs?" He cast about , but Isabelle just looked up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-don-t-know-who-azazel-is-he-said-isn-t-he-the-cat-from-the-smurfs/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [The beloved may be treacherous, greasy-headed and given to evil habits, or else it can be a man in his late forties who works…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-link/the-beloved-may-be-treacherous-greasy-headed-and-given-to-evil-habits/) [Kelly Link](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-link/) > [Those who have past much of their lives in this great city, look upon its opulence and its multitudes, its extent and variety, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/those-who-have-past-much-of-their-lives-in-this-great-city-look-upon/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Unfortunately, I'm one of those idiots who knows everything about health and is in a constant state of alarm, and yet I continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-ames/unfortunately-i-m-one-of-those-idiots-who-knows-everything-about/) [Jonathan Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-ames/) > [“batteries in the smoke alarms, and since he “just happened”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-lawson-timmer/batteries-in-the-smoke-alarms-and-since-he-just-happened/) [Julie Lawson Timmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-lawson-timmer/) > [When I see a new face, something sets off an alarm bell inside me. 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