--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who wish to be ignorant and free…" description: "\"Those who wish to be ignorant and free, believe in something that never was and never shall be.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg" --- # Those who wish to be ignorant and free, believe in… ![“Those who wish to be ignorant and free, believe in something that never was and never shall be.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg) > “Those who wish to be ignorant and free, believe in something that never was and never shall be.” [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 warns that seeking ignorance under the guise of freedom leads to belief in falsehoods that never existed. **In simple terms:** Ignorance disguised as freedom creates false beliefs. Key Takeaway Seek knowledge, not false freedom. Themes freedom ignorance truth Mood thoughtful cautious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - education - public policy - personal reflection Key Concepts epistemology political philosophy Questions to Reflect On - Is true freedom possible without knowledge? - What are the dangers of willful ignorance? A Different Perspective Some argue that some ignorance is necessary for happiness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [“Those who expect to be both ignorant and free, expect what never was and never will be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/those-who-expect-to-be-both-ignorant-and-free-expect-what-never-was/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be ... The People cannot be safe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-a-nation-expects-to-be-ignorant-and-free-it-expects-what-never-was-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and will never be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-a-nation-expects-to-be-ignorant-and-free-in-a-state-of-3/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [no people can be both ignorant and free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/no-people-can-be-both-ignorant-and-free/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If a nation expects to be ignorant and free it expects what never was and never will be!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-a-nation-expects-to-be-ignorant-and-free-it-expects-what-never-was/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“If a nation expects to be ignorant & free, in a state of civilisation, it expects what never was & never will be. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-a-nation-expects-to-be-ignorant-free-in-a-state-of-civilisation-it/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“A nation which expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, expects that which never was and never will be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-nation-which-expects-to-be-ignorant-and-free-in-a-state-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-a-nation-expects-to-be-ignorant-and-free-in-a-state-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There are many things of which a wise man might wish to be ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-are-many-things-of-which-a-wise-man-might-wish-to-be-ignorant/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Our minds and hearts are free to believe everything or nothing at all - and it is our duty to protect and perpetuate this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-minds-and-hearts-are-free-to-believe-everything-or-nothing-at-all/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“I wish I was ignorant, so I didn't know how ignorant I am”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-wish-i-was-ignorant-so-i-didn-t-know-how-ignorant-i-am/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. —THOMAS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-a-nation-expects-to-be-ignorant-and-free-in-a-state-of-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is one thing to be free; to be ignorant and free is to be imprisoned.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-j-croan/it-is-one-thing-to-be-free-to-be-ignorant-and-free-is-to-be-imprisoned/) [M.J. Croan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-j-croan/) > [We are ever free if we would only believe it, only have faith enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-are-ever-free-if-we-would-only-believe-it-only-have-faith-enough/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Information wants to be free. Believe it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/information-wants-to-be-free-believe-it/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) ## 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 Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who wish to be ignorant and free, believe in something that never was and never shall be.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-believe-in-something-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-believe-in-something-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/703/thomas-jefferson-43_believe_those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-b_1104709.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those who wish to be ignorant and free, believe in something that never was and never shall be.” — Thomas Jefferson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Those who wish to be ignorant...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-believe-in-something-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/those-who-wish-to-be-ignorant-and-free-believe-in-something-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```