--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The right of self-government does not…" description: "\"The right of self-government does not comprehend the government of others.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/thomas-jefferson-43_doe_the-right-of-self-government-does-not-co_480909.jpg" --- # The right of self-government does not comprehend the… ![“The right of self-government does not comprehend the government of others.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/thomas-jefferson-43_doe_the-right-of-self-government-does-not-co_480909.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/thomas-jefferson-43_doe_the-right-of-self-government-does-not-co_480909.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a1/thomas-jefferson-43_doe_the-right-of-self-government-does-not-co_480909.jpg) > “The right of self-government does not comprehend the government of others.” [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 means a people governing themselves, not being governed by external authorities. **In simple terms:** Self‑rule excludes external control. Key Takeaway Advocate for autonomy and local governance. Themes politics autonomy government Mood reflective serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - local councils - community decision‑making - constitutional debates Key Concepts social contract democracy Questions to Reflect On - What limits exist on pure self‑government? - How to reconcile individual freedom with collective needs? A Different Perspective Balancing self‑rule with necessary coordination is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self-government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-government/) ## 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/) > [We act not for ourselves but for the whole human race. The event of our experiment is to show whether man can be trusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-act-not-for-ourselves-but-for-the-whole-human-race-the-event-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [the qualifications for self-government in society are not innate. they are the result of habit and long training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-qualifications-for-self-government-in-society-are-not-innate-they/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Every man, and every body of men on earth, possesses the right of self-government. 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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 Doe quotes > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I cannot forbid a person to marry several wives, for it does not contradict Scripture. 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