--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Truth and reason are eternal. They have…" description: "\"Truth and reason are eternal. They have prevailed. And they will eternally prevail; however, in times and places they may be overborne for a while by v..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/thomas-jefferson-43_eternal_truth-and-reason-are-eternal-they-have-p_2629464.jpg" --- # Truth and reason are eternal. They have prevailed. And… ![“Truth and reason are eternal. They have prevailed. And they will eternally prevail; however, in times and places they may be overborne for a while by violence, military, civil, or ecclesiastical.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/thomas-jefferson-43_eternal_truth-and-reason-are-eternal-they-have-p_2629464.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/thomas-jefferson-43_eternal_truth-and-reason-are-eternal-they-have-p_2629464.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b70/thomas-jefferson-43_eternal_truth-and-reason-are-eternal-they-have-p_2629464.jpg) > “Truth and reason are eternal. They have prevailed. And they will eternally prevail; however, in times and places they may be overborne for a while by violence, military, civil, or ecclesiastical.” [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. Truth and reason endure despite temporary oppression by violence or institutions **In simple terms:** Reason and truth outlast oppression Key Takeaway Trust in reason and truth over time Themes philosophy politics justice Mood thoughtful hopeful Type philosophical political When to use this quote - legal reforms - civil rights movements - educational curricula Key Concepts eternal truths social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards protect truth today? - How can reason influence policy? A Different Perspective Violence may temporarily suppress truth ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) ## Related quotes > [I destroy because for me everything that proceeds from reason is untrustworthy. I believe only in the evidence of what stirs my marrow, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonin-artaud/i-destroy-because-for-me-everything-that-proceeds-from-reason-is/) [Antonin Artaud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonin-artaud/) > [“This false epistemology, however, has also led to disastrous consequences. The theory that truth is manifest—that it is there for everyone to see, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/this-false-epistemology-however-has-also-led-to-disastrous/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [We know the truth not only through our reason but also through our heart. It is through the latter that we know first principles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/we-know-the-truth-not-only-through-our-reason-but-also-through-our/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [It is only by dispelling the clouds and phantoms of religion that we shall discover truth, reason and morality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-d-holbach/it-is-only-by-dispelling-the-clouds-and-phantoms-of-religion-that-we/) [Baron d'Holbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-d-holbach/) > [The real searcher after truth will not receive the old because it is old, or reject the new because it is new. He will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/the-real-searcher-after-truth-will-not-receive-the-old-because-it-is/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [The truth is that reason is the enemy of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-unamuno/the-truth-is-that-reason-is-the-enemy-of-life/) [Miguel de Unamuno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-unamuno/) > [The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of... We know the truth not only by the reason, but by the heart." -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-heart-has-its-reasons-which-reason-knows-nothing-of-we-know-the/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does truth become error because nobody sees it. Truth stands, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/an-error-does-not-become-truth-by-reason-of-multiplied-propagation-2/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Look at us! Are we not proof that there is no good, no evil, no truth, no reason? Are we not proof that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-morrison/look-at-us-are-we-not-proof-that-there-is-no-good-no-evil-no-truth-no/) [Grant Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-morrison/) > [The two principles of truth, reason and senses, are not only both not genuine, but are engaged in mutual deception. The senses deceive reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-two-principles-of-truth-reason-and-senses-are-not-only-both-not/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [“Salvation of human life requires disclosure of truth through reason, surpassing bigotry.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/salvation-of-human-life-requires-disclosure-of-truth-through-reason/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“An error does not become truth by reason of multiplied propagation, nor does the truth become error because nobody will see it. ( Young…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/an-error-does-not-become-truth-by-reason-of-multiplied-propagation/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [We know the truth, not only be the reason, but also be the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/we-know-the-truth-not-only-be-the-reason-but-also-be-the-heart/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [“The relationship between truth and reason: "Truth cannot be reached by reason alone!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-blondel/the-relationship-between-truth-and-reason-truth-cannot-be-reached-by/) [Maurice Blondel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-blondel/) > [All forms of the state have democracy for their truth, and for that reason are false to the extent that they are not democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/all-forms-of-the-state-have-democracy-for-their-truth-and-for-that/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) ## 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 Eternal quotes > [Many individuals spend a considerable portion of their lifetimes in terror of one imagined catastrophe or another. The classic is that your immortal soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/many-individuals-spend-a-considerable-portion-of-their-lifetimes-in/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [“Please not yet. Those are the three eternal words. Please not yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/please-not-yet-those-are-the-three-eternal-words-please-not-yet/) [John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/) > [I remain an eternal optimist about love. I believe in love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-lopez/i-remain-an-eternal-optimist-about-love-i-believe-in-love/) [Jennifer Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-lopez/) > [The writings of latter-day prophets clearly teach that the sorrows and sufferings endured by Adam and Eve upon their leaving the Garden of Eden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-k-judd/the-writings-of-latter-day-prophets-clearly-teach-that-the-sorrows/) Daniel K Judd > [There are two kinds of beauty; there is a beauty which God gives at birth, and which withers as a flower. And there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-kuyper/there-are-two-kinds-of-beauty-there-is-a-beauty-which-god-gives-at/) [Abraham Kuyper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-kuyper/) > [The time has come for us to understand that the Eternal Feminine is the greatest power in this Universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samael-aun-weor/the-time-has-come-for-us-to-understand-that-the-eternal-feminine-is/) [Samael Aun Weor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samael-aun-weor/) > [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/) [L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/) > [We are eternal. All this pain is an illusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/we-are-eternal-all-this-pain-is-an-illusion/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [In some respects I will never die. Because art is immortal. What we leave behind and what we create - the energy that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madonna-ciccone/in-some-respects-i-will-never-die-because-art-is-immortal-what-we/) [Madonna Ciccone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madonna-ciccone/) > [The only way to have eternal love is to never let your heart forget what it’s like to live without it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/the-only-way-to-have-eternal-love-is-to-never-let-your-heart-forget/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [My God, whose son, as on this night, took on Him the form of man, and for man vouchsafed to suffer and bleed, controls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/my-god-whose-son-as-on-this-night-took-on-him-the-form-of-man-and-for/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [In the course of our eternal existence, we spend infinitely more time in the spirit world on the other side than we spend in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-browne/in-the-course-of-our-eternal-existence-we-spend-infinitely-more-time/) [Sylvia Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-browne/) > [The propitious smiles of Heaven, can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-propitious-smiles-of-heaven-can-never-be-expected-on-a-nation/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-maclaren/if-our-faith-in-god-is-not-the-veriest-sham-it-demands-and-will/) [Alexander MacLaren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-maclaren/) [Browse all 3,280 Eternal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Truth and reason are eternal. 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