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Thomas Jefferson Quotes - Page 65

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Everyone must act according to the dictates of his own reason.

Everyone must act according to the dictates of his own reason.

Thomas Jefferson
Religion, Liberty, Politics

I have so much confidence in the good sense of man, and his qualifications for self-government, that I am never afraid of the issue where reason is left free to exert her force.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Self, Issues
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.111, Rowman & Littlefield

Every man's reason is his own rightful umpire. This principle, with that of acquiescence in the will of the majority, will preserve us free and prosperous as long as they are sacredly observed.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Umpires, Long
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.346

I hold it certain that to open the doors of truth and to fortify the habit of testing everything by reason are the most effectual manacles we can rivet on the hands of our successors to prevent their manacling the people with their own consent.

Thomas Jefferson
Doors, Hands, People
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.271, Cambridge University Press

If virtuous, the government need not fear the fair operation of attack and defense. Nature has given to man no other means of sifting the truth, either in religion, law, or politics.

Thomas Jefferson
Mean, Men, Law
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.133, Rowman & Littlefield

I am not myself apt to be alarmed at innovations recommended by reason. That dread belongs to those whose interests or prejudices shrink from the advance of truth and science.

Thomas Jefferson
Innovation, Prejudice, Politics
Thomas Jefferson (2011). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series, Volume 7: 28 November 1813 to 30 September 1814”, p.210, Princeton University Press

The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Men, Political
Thomas Jefferson, Jean M. Yarbrough (1963). “The Essential Jefferson”, p.28, Hackett Publishing

I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions sometimes to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony.

Thomas Jefferson
Sacrifice, Politics, Sake
Thomas Jefferson, Charles T. Cullen (1961). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson”

A government held together by the bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Together, Band
Thomas Jefferson (1861). “Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretarry of state”, p.343

Every man has a commission to admonish, exhort, convince another of error.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Errors, Politics
Thomas Jefferson, Martin Alfred Larson (1981). “Jefferson, magnificent populist”, Devin-Adair Pub

The Gothic idea that we were to look backwards instead of forwards for the improvement of the human mind, and to recur to the annals of our ancestors for what is most perfect in government, in religion and in learning, is worthy of those bigots in religion and government by whom it has been recommended, and whose purposes it would answer. But it is not an idea which this country will endure.

Thomas Jefferson
Country, Ideas, Government
Thomas Jefferson (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”, p.318

If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what one so cheap to those of whose system of politics morality makes no part?

Thomas Jefferson
Lying, Enemy, Suffering
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.36

Truth between candid minds can never do harm.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Political, Mind
Thomas Jefferson, H. A. Washington (2011). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private”, p.271, Cambridge University Press

I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.

Thomas Jefferson
Honesty, Giving, Politics
Thomas Jefferson (1855). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretary of state”, p.342

It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names so artificially magnified.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Thinking, Names
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1859). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretary of state”, p.165

The division into whig and tory is founded in the nature of men; the weakly and nerveless, the rich and the corrupt, seeing more safety and accessibility in a strong executive; the healthy, firm, and virtuous, feeling confidence in their physical and moral resources, and willing to part with only so much power as is necessary for their good government; and, therefore, to retain the rest in the hands of the many, the division will substantially be into Whig and Tory.

Thomas Jefferson
Strong, Men, Hands
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.422, Cambridge University Press

Men of energy of character must have enemies; because there are two sides to every question, and taking one with decision, and acting on it with effect, those who take the other will of course be hostile in proportion as they feel that effect.

Thomas Jefferson
Character, Men, Two Sides
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies from the papers of T. Jefferson”

I love peace, and am anxious that we should give the world still another useful lesson, by showing to them other modes of punishing injuries than by war, which is as much a punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Punishment
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution : Annotated Correspondence”, p.135, Algora Publishing

War has been avoided from a due sense of the miseries, and the demoralization it produces, and of the superior blessings of a state of peace and friendship with all mankind.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Blessing
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution : Annotated Correspondence”, p.236, Algora Publishing

I value peace, and I should unwillingly see any event take place which would render war a necessary resource.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Events

One war, such as that of our Revolution, is enough for one life.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Revolution
Thomas Jefferson, J. Jefferson Looney (2004). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: 1 October 1814 to 31 August 1815”, p.168, Princeton University Press

You have not been mistaken in supposing my views and feeling to be in favor of the abolition of war. Of my dispos[i]tion to maintain peace until its condition shall be made less tolerable than that of war itself, the world has had proofs, and more, perhaps, than it has approved. I hope it is practicable, by improving the mind and morals of society, to lessen the dispos[i]tion to war; but of its abolition I despair.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Views
Letter to Noah Worcester, November 26, 1817.

Public employment contributes neither to advantage nor happiness. It is but honorable exile from one's family and affairs.

Thomas Jefferson
Happiness, Employment, Affair
Thomas Jefferson, Andrew M. Allison (1983). “The Real Thomas Jefferson”, Natl Center for Constitutional

Any woodsman can tell you that in a broken and sundered nest, one can hardly find more than a precious few whole eggs. So it is with the family.

Thomas Jefferson
Father, Eggs, Broken

But this momentous question, like a fire bell in the night, awakened and filled me with terror.

Thomas Jefferson
Night, Fire, Bells
Letter to John Holmes, 22 Apr. 1820.