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Thomas Jefferson Quotes - Page 24

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Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus....I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.

Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus....I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.

Thomas Jefferson
Christian, Jesus, Real

Against us are all timid men who prefer the calm of despotism to the boisterous sea of liberty We are likely to preserve the liberty we have obtained only by unremitting labors and perils.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Sea, Liberty
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.416, Cambridge University Press

To take a single step beyond the text would be to take possession of a boundless field of power.

Thomas Jefferson
Would Be, Fields, Steps

I love to see honest and honorable men at the helm, men who will not bend their politics to their purses, nor pursue measures by which they may profit, and then profit by their measures.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Honorable Man, May
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoirs, correspondence and private papers of Thomas Jefferson, ed. by T.J. Randolph”, p.344

I believe in good luck, and the harder I work and the more I believe in myself, the luckier I get.

Thomas Jefferson
Believe, Good Luck, Harder

We have solved, by fair experiment, the great and interesting question whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government and obedience to the laws. And we have experienced the quiet as well as the comfort which results from leaving every one to profess freely and openly those principles of religion which are the inductions of his own reason and the serious convictions of his own inquiries.

Thomas Jefferson
Religious, Order, Law
Thomas Jefferson (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private : Published by the Order of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from the Original Manuscripts, Deposited in the Department of State”, p.139

Bind them down by the chains of the Constitution where they can do no mischief.

Thomas Jefferson
Constitution, Chains, Mischief

It is an axiom in my mind that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction. This it is the business of the state to effect, and on a general plan.

Thomas Jefferson
Wisdom, Hands, People
Thomas Jefferson (2011). “Jefferson on Freedom: Wisdom, Advice, and Hints on Freedom, Democracy, and the American Way”, p.60, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them. ... Love your neighbor as yourself and your country more than yourself. ... The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave. ... I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. ... The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

Thomas Jefferson
Country, Love You, Men
Letter to William Stephens Smith, 13 Nov. 1787

A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Sight, People
Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.102, Modern Library

History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, History, Historical
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Late President of the United States”, p.82

I have lived temperately, eating little animal food, and that not as an aliment, so much as a condiment for the vegetables, which constitute my principal diet.

Thomas Jefferson
Animal, Vegetarian Diet, Vegetarianism
B. L. Rayner, Thomas Jefferson (1834). “Life of Thomas Jefferson: with selections from the most valuable portions of his voluminious and unrivalled private correspondence : with portrait”, p.394

Good humor is one of the preservatives of our peace and tranquility.

Thomas Jefferson
Humor, Tranquility, Peace And Tranquility
Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.16, Modern Library

Of all exercises, walking is the best.

Thomas Jefferson
Life, Exercise, Journey
Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.13, Modern Library

The government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to itself; since that would have made its discretion, and not the Constitution, the measure of its powers.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Judging, Finals
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1793-1798”, p.461, Cosimo, Inc.

A share in the sovereignty of the state, which is exercised by the citizens at large, in voting at elections is one of the most important rights of the subject, and in a republic ought to stand foremost in the estimation of the law.

Thomas Jefferson
Rights, Law, Voting

Certainly one of the highest duties of the citizen is a scrupulous obedience to the laws of the nation. But it is not the highest duty.

Thomas Jefferson
Inspirational, Motivational, Law

Are we to have a censor whose imprimatur shall say what books may be sold, and what we may buy? And who is thus to dogmatize religious opinions for our citizens? Whose foot is to be the measure to which ours are all to be cut or stretched? Is a priest to be our inquisitor, or shall a layman, simple as ourselves, set up his reason as the rule of what we are to read, and what we must believe?

Thomas Jefferson
Religious, Book, Believe
Thomas Jefferson (1855). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”, p.340

Every man has two countries: his own and France.

Thomas Jefferson
Country, Men, Countries Of The World

I have come to a resolution myself as I hope every good citizen will, never again to purchase any article of foreign manufacture which can be had of American make, be the difference of price what it may.

Thomas Jefferson
Differences, May, Citizens
Thomas Jefferson, Richard Holland Johnston, Thomas Jefferson memorial association of the United States (1905). “The writings of Thomas Jefferson”

Excessive taxation . . . will carry reason & reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.

Thomas Jefferson
Reflection, Men, Doors
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1793-1798”, p.481, Cosimo, Inc.

[A]lthough a republican government is slow to move, yet when once in motion, its momentum becomes irresistible.

Thomas Jefferson
Moving, Government, Momentum
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private : Published by the Order of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from the Original Manuscripts, Deposited in the Department of State”, p.438

Man [is] a rational animal, endowed by nature with rights and with an innate sense of justice.

Thomas Jefferson
Philosophy, Animal, Men
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies from the papers of T. Jefferson”

Music furnishes a delightful recreation for the hours of respite from the cares of the day, and lasts us through life.

Thomas Jefferson
Care, Lasts, Hours
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.546, Cambridge University Press

The commotions that have taken place in America, as far as they are yet known to me, offer nothing threatening. They are a proof that the people have liberty enough, and I could not wish them less than they have. If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase. 'Malo libertatem periculosam quam quietem servitutem.' Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.

Thomas Jefferson
Honesty, Taken, Blood
Thomas Jefferson (1861). “Correspondence”, p.77