--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a natural aristocracy among men…" description: "\"There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_there-is-a-natural-aristocracy-among-men_380429.jpg" --- # There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of… ![“There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_there-is-a-natural-aristocracy-among-men_380429.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_there-is-a-natural-aristocracy-among-men_380429.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/thomas-jefferson-43_aristocracy_there-is-a-natural-aristocracy-among-men_380429.jpg) > “There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.” [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. He posits that natural aristocracy is based on virtue and talent rather than birth, suggesting meritocracy as an ideal. **In simple terms:** Virtue and talent define true leadership. Key Takeaway Promote merit over inherited status. Themes philosophy politics meritocracy virtue talent Mood analytical reflective Type philosophical political When to use this quote - educational reforms - leadership selection - public service Key Concepts social hierarchy natural law egalitarianism Questions to Reflect On - How can societies ensure equal opportunity? - What safeguards prevent meritocracy from becoming elitist? A Different Perspective Meritocracy can be biased by unequal access to opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aristocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) [Aristocracy Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy-men-3450643/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Grounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-grounds-3450645/) [Natural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural/) [Natural Aristocracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/natural-aristocracy-902243/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Virtue Talents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue-talents-3450644/) ## Related quotes > [The natural aristocracy I consider as the most precious gift of nature for the instruction, the trusts, and government of society. And indeed it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-natural-aristocracy-i-consider-as-the-most-precious-gift-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I rejoice when I hear of young men of virtue and talents, worthy to receive and likely to preserve the splendid inheritance of self-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-rejoice-when-i-hear-of-young-men-of-virtue-and-talents-worthy-to/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The artificial noble shrinks into a dwarf before the noble of nature; and in the few instances (for there are some in all countries)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/the-artificial-noble-shrinks-into-a-dwarf-before-the-noble-of-nature/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“Codfish aristocracy' is what they call us. Men who've made a fortune in business, but are common-born." "Why codfish?" "It used to refer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/codfish-aristocracy-is-what-they-call-us-men-who-ve-made-a-fortune-in/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [The aristocracy in the future is not one of wealth or university education, but the aristocracy of the men who have done something for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-m-schwab/the-aristocracy-in-the-future-is-not-one-of-wealth-or-university/) [Charles M. Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-m-schwab/) > [“A true natural aristocracy is not a separate interest in the state, or separable from it. It is an essential integrant part of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/a-true-natural-aristocracy-is-not-a-separate-interest-in-the-state-or/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [The persons who constitute the natural aristocracy, are not found in the actual aristocracy, or, only on its edge; as the chemicalenergy of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-persons-who-constitute-the-natural-aristocracy-are-not-found-in/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“The natural aristocracy, said Jefferson, was one of virtue or talents, and he contrasted this with an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-h-buckley/the-natural-aristocracy-said-jefferson-was-one-of-virtue-or-talents/) [F. H. Buckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-h-buckley/) > [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/) > [Let us in education dream of an aristocracy of achievement arising out of a democracy of opportunity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/let-us-in-education-dream-of-an-aristocracy-of-achievement-arising/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ I hope we shall . . . crush in \[its\] birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-hope-we-shall-crush-in-its-birth-the-aristocracy-of-our-monied-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-hope-we-shall-crush-in-its-birth-the-aristocracy-of-our-monied/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [An hereditary aristocracy... will change the form of our governments from the best to the worst in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/an-hereditary-aristocracy-will-change-the-form-of-our-governments/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ The law for religious freedom... \[has\]put down the aristocracy of the clergy and restored to the citizen the freedom of the mind. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-law-for-religious-freedom-has-put-down-the-aristocracy-of-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ I considered 4 of these bills \[of the revised code of Virginia\] as forming a system by which every fibre would be eradicated of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-considered-4-of-these-bills-of-the-revised-code-of-virginia-as/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## 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 Aristocracy quotes > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“I believe in aristocracy, though -- if that is the right word, and if a democrat may use it. Not an aristocracy of power,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster-2/i-believe-in-aristocracy-though-if-that-is-the-right-word-and-if-a/) [E.M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster-2/) > [24.9 percent of American children live in poverty, while the proportions in Germany, France and Italy are 8.6, 7.4 and 10.5 percent. And once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-hutton/24-9-percent-of-american-children-live-in-poverty-while-the/) [Will Hutton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-hutton/) > [Tomorrow every Duchess in London will be waiting to kiss me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramsay-macdonald/tomorrow-every-duchess-in-london-will-be-waiting-to-kiss-me/) [Ramsay MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramsay-macdonald/) > [“Why do these big old country houses always have family portraits in the dining room? 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The worries of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-jean-nathan/common-sense-in-so-far-as-it-exists-is-all-for-the-bourgeoisie/) [George Jean Nathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-jean-nathan/) [Browse all 426 Aristocracy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aristocracy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is a natural aristocracy among men. 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