---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The monopoly of a single bank is…"
description: "\"The monopoly of a single bank is certainly an evil. The multiplication of them was intended to cure it; but it multiplied an influence of the same char..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/thomas-jefferson-43_character_the-monopoly-of-a-single-bank-is-certain_33902.jpg"
---

#  The monopoly of a single bank is certainly an evil. The…

![“The monopoly of a single bank is certainly an evil. The multiplication of them was intended to cure it; but it multiplied an influence of the same character with the first, and completed the supplanting the precious metals by a paper circulation. Between such parties the less we meddle the better.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/thomas-jefferson-43_character_the-monopoly-of-a-single-bank-is-certain_33902.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/thomas-jefferson-43_character_the-monopoly-of-a-single-bank-is-certain_33902.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a0f/thomas-jefferson-43_character_the-monopoly-of-a-single-bank-is-certain_33902.jpg)

> “The monopoly of a single bank is certainly an evil. The multiplication of them was intended to cure it; but it multiplied an influence of the same character with the first, and completed the supplanting the precious metals by a paper circulation. Between such parties the less we meddle the better.”

[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.

Jefferson warns that a single bank concentrates power, and that creating many banks merely spreads the same corrupt influence, replacing hard money with paper credit.

**In simple terms:** Banking concentration spreads corruption.

Key Takeaway

More banks ≠ less power.

Themes

economic power financial regulation monetary policy wealth distribution institutional corruption

Mood

critical cautious skeptical

Type

political economic historical

When to use this quote

- policy debates on banking reform
- historical analysis of early US finance
- modern discussions on fintech and decentralization
- academic courses on monetary history

Key Concepts

central banking paper money market competition government intervention

Practical Applications

- designing diversified financial systems
- educating public on banking risks

Questions to Reflect On

- How does competition affect systemic risk?
- What alternatives to paper money address Jefferson’s concerns?

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[Bank Certainly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bank-certainly-435121/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Circulation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circulation/) [Cures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cures/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evil Multiplication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil-multiplication-435120/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/influence/) [Metals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/metals/) [Monopoly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monopoly/) [Multiplication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/multiplication/) [Multiplied Influence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/multiplied-influence-435122/) [Paper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paper/) [Party](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/party/) [Precious metal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precious-metal/) [Single Bank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/single-bank-435119/) [Supplanting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/supplanting-180975/)

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