--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: the qualifications for self-government in…" description: "\"the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/thomas-jefferson-43_educational_the-qualifications-for-self-government-i_1121664.jpg" --- # the qualifications for self-government in society are not… ![“the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/thomas-jefferson-43_educational_the-qualifications-for-self-government-i_1121664.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/thomas-jefferson-43_educational_the-qualifications-for-self-government-i_1121664.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc8/thomas-jefferson-43_educational_the-qualifications-for-self-government-i_1121664.jpg) > “the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.” [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. Self‑government skills are learned through repeated practice and cultural conditioning, not inherited. **In simple terms:** Governing ability comes from training, not nature. Key Takeaway Cultivate civic habits early. Themes civic education habit formation political theory Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical political When to use this quote - schools - community meetings - public service training Key Concepts social learning institutional development Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure equitable access to civic training? - What habits best support democratic participation? A Different Perspective Habits alone may not overcome structural inequalities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Educational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/educational/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self-government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) ## Related quotes > [May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of self-government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/may-it-be-to-the-world-to-assume-the-blessings-and-security-of-self/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[We should be\] determined... to sever ourselves from the union we so much value rather than give up the rights of self-government... in which… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-should-be-determined-to-sever-ourselves-from-the-union-we-so-much/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ We established however some, although not all its \[self-government\] important principles . The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-established-however-some-although-not-all-its-self-government/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of self-government, we see in the rising generation, into whose hands it is passing, that purity of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/having-labored-faithfully-in-establishing-the-right-of-self/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The present generation has the same right of self-government which the past one has exercised for itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-present-generation-has-the-same-right-of-self-government-which/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A first attempt to recover the right of self government may fail, so may a second, a third, etc. But as a younger and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-first-attempt-to-recover-the-right-of-self-government-may-fail-so/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It behooves our citizens to be on their guard, to be firm in their principles, and full of confidence in themselves. We are able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/it-behooves-our-citizens-to-be-on-their-guard-to-be-firm-in-their/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Ignorance and bigotry, like other insanities, are incapable of self-government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/ignorance-and-bigotry-like-other-insanities-are-incapable-of-self/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. 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Douglas > [Nations are beginning to look to some vague organization, some nebulous course of humanity, to pay their bills and tell them what to do.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-coolidge/nations-are-beginning-to-look-to-some-vague-organization-some/) [Calvin Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-coolidge/) ## 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... 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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 Educational quotes > [The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-teacher-is-one-who-makes-two-ideas-grow-where-only-one-grew-before/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [“Never let your Enemies become your Advocates.” by A. 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