--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must make our choice between economy…" description: "\"We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg" --- # We must make our choice between economy and liberty or… ![“We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg) > “We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.” [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. Balancing economic policy and personal freedoms is essential; excessive taxation and government overreach erode liberty and happiness. **In simple terms:** Too much tax and control hurt freedom. Key Takeaway Limit government power, protect liberty. Themes freedom economics government taxation happiness Mood concerned hopeful Type political philosophical When to use this quote - budget planning - tax reform - civil liberties advocacy - public discourse - community organizing Key Concepts liberalism political philosophy public policy Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure fair taxation without sacrificing freedom? - What safeguards protect against government waste? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on liberty can ignore necessary public services and social safety nets. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amusement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) [Caring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/caring/) [Choice Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice-economy-4344424/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Confusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confusion/) [Debt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debt/) [Drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drink/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Economy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy/) [Economy Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economy-liberty-4344422/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Labor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/labor/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Liberty Confusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty-confusion-4344425/) [Meat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meat/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Pretense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretense/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Servitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servitude/) [Taxed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxed/) [Taxed Meat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxed-meat-4344423/) ## Related quotes > [To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/to-preserve-our-independence-we-must-not-let-our-rulers-load-us-with/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I place economy among the first and most important virtues and public debt as the greatest dangers to be feared... We must not let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-place-economy-among-the-first-and-most-important-virtues-and-public/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“And to preserve their independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/and-to-preserve-their-independence-we-must-not-let-our-rulers-load-us/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ Our properties within our own territories \[should not\] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-properties-within-our-own-territories-should-not-be-taxed-or/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Still less let it be proposed that our properties within our own territories shall be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/still-less-let-it-be-proposed-that-our-properties-within-our-own-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I place economy among the first and most important virtues and public debt as the greatest dangers to be feared. To preserve our independence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-place-economy-among-the-first-and-most-important-virtues-and-public-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I prefer the tumult of liberty to the quiet of servitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-prefer-the-tumult-of-liberty-to-the-quiet-of-servitude/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-must-not-let-our-rulers-load-us-with-perpetual-debt/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Texans should not be taxed on our taxes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-bailey-hutchison/texans-should-not-be-taxed-on-our-taxes/) [Kay Bailey Hutchison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-bailey-hutchison/) > [If America taxed its churches, it would get more than TWICE as much tax revenue as it would need to end world hunger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-america-taxed-its-churches-it-would-get-more-than-twice-as-much/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Who are ever taxed? Individuals only. Who have property that can be taxed? Individuals only. Who can give their consent to be taxed? Individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysander-spooner/who-are-ever-taxed-individuals-only-who-have-property-that-can-be/) [Lysander Spooner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysander-spooner/) > [President Trump repeatedly says that "America is the highest-taxed country in the world." This is an alternative fact. We pay less in taxes, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-r-reid/president-trump-repeatedly-says-that-america-is-the-highest-taxed/) [T.R. Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-r-reid/) > [The most powerful nation on earth should be able to pass a fair, effective immigration law that combines compassion with responsibility and does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/the-most-powerful-nation-on-earth-should-be-able-to-pass-a-fair/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/we-are-more-heavily-taxed-by-our-idleness-pride-and-folly-than-we-are/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Bachelors should be heavily taxed. It is not fair that some men should be happier than others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/bachelors-should-be-heavily-taxed-it-is-not-fair-that-some-men-should/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) ## 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 Amusement quotes > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Ancient eyes had stared at me, filled with ancient grief. And something more. Something so alien and unexpected that I'd almost burst into tears.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/ancient-eyes-had-stared-at-me-filled-with-ancient-grief-and-something/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Every producer in Hollywood had set me down as a type. I was both amused and disappointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bela-lugosi/every-producer-in-hollywood-had-set-me-down-as-a-type-i-was-both/) [Bela Lugosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bela-lugosi/) > [By amusing myself with all these games, all this nonsense, all these picture puzzles, I became famous... I am only a public entertainer who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/by-amusing-myself-with-all-these-games-all-this-nonsense-all-these/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [I just started writing for my own amusement and occasionally singing in little clubs around Los Angeles. Then I wrote 'The Rose,' and through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-mcbroom/i-just-started-writing-for-my-own-amusement-and-occasionally-singing/) [Amanda McBroom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-mcbroom/) > [Happiness does not consist in pastimes and amusements but in virtuous activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/happiness-does-not-consist-in-pastimes-and-amusements-but-in-virtuous/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Ordinary people simply don't know what books mean to us, shut up here. Reading, learning, and the radio are our amusements.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-frank/ordinary-people-simply-don-t-know-what-books-mean-to-us-shut-up-here/) [Anne Frank](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-frank/) > [My first job was at an amusement park in Virginia. It was the worst. I loved the park but once I'd worked there all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-mcbride/my-first-job-was-at-an-amusement-park-in-virginia-it-was-the-worst-i/) [Danny McBride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-mcbride/) > [The Stoics say, "Retire within yourselves; it is there you will find your rest." And that is not true. Others say, "Go out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/the-stoics-say-retire-within-yourselves-it-is-there-you-will-find/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [I realized, "Gee, you're making the same film over and over here." I just kept making them for my own amusement, but also with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-jarmusch/i-realized-gee-you-re-making-the-same-film-over-and-over-here-i-just/) [Jim Jarmusch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-jarmusch/) > [I like these boots," I told Vayl. "Do you think they'd sell them to me cheap? I keep ruining mine." "Since when do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-rardin/i-like-these-boots-i-told-vayl-do-you-think-they-d-sell-them-to-me/) [Jennifer Rardin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-rardin/) > [It has to be now,” he insisted, a flick of amusement in his voice. He nudged his burgeoning loins against her. “After all, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-kleypas/it-has-to-be-now-he-insisted-a-flick-of-amusement-in-his-voice-he/) [Lisa Kleypas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-kleypas/) > [Act as if the universe is a prodigious miracle created for your amusement and illumination. Assume that secret helpers are working behind the scenes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/act-as-if-the-universe-is-a-prodigious-miracle-created-for-your/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) > [Amusement that is excessive and followed only for its own sake, allures and deceives us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/amusement-that-is-excessive-and-followed-only-for-its-own-sake/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) [Browse all 567 Amusement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amusement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy-and-liberty-or-confusion-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Amusement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy-and-liberty-or-confusion-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95e/thomas-jefferson-43_amusement_we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy_513219.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts…” — 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": "We must make our choice between...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy-and-liberty-or-confusion-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-must-make-our-choice-between-economy-and-liberty-or-confusion-and/#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 } } ] } ```