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Thomas Jefferson Quotes - Page 8

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It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

Thomas Jefferson
Religious, Truth, Freedom
Notes on the State of Virginia, query 17 (1781 - 1785)

The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Southern, Foundation
Thomas Jefferson (1977). “The Portable Thomas Jefferson”, p.440, Penguin

The only security of all is in a free press.

Thomas Jefferson
Freedom Of The Press, Free Press, Security
Letter to Marquis de Lafayette, 4 Nov. 1823

If ever there was a holy war, it was that which saved our liberties and gave us independence.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Independence, Liberty
Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.45, Modern Library

Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly.

Thomas Jefferson
Life, Character, World
"The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private".

Beer, if drank with moderation, softens the temper, cheers the spirit, and promotes health.

Thomas Jefferson
Cheer, Drinking, Beer

For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, May, Not Afraid
Letter to William Roscoe, 27 Dec. 1820

I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.

Thomas Jefferson
Believe, Army, Names
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.277

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.

Thomas Jefferson
Motivational, Crush, Morning

Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law.

Thomas Jefferson
Religious, Law, Presidential
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Reports of Cases Determined in the General Court of Virginia: From 1730, to 1740; and from 1768, to 1772”, p.140

1.Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day. 2.Never trouble another for what you can do yourself. 3.Never spend your money before you have it. 4.Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you. 5.Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold. 6.We never repent of having eaten too little. 7.Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly. 8.How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened. 9.Take things always by their smooth handle. 10.When angry, count ten, before you speak; if very angry, a hundred.

Thomas Jefferson
Pain, Pride, Evil
Thomas Jefferson (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”, p.402

The question whether the judges are invested with exclusive authority to decide on the constitutionality of a law has been heretofore a subject of consideration with me in the exercise of official duties. Certainly there is not a word in the Constitution which has given that power to them more than to the Executive or Legislative branches.

Thomas Jefferson
Exercise, Law, Judging
Thomas Jefferson, J. Jefferson Looney (2004). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: 1 October 1814 to 31 August 1815”, p.525, Princeton University Press

Every people may establish what form of government they please, and change it as they please, the will of the nation being the only thing essential.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, People, Essentials
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoirs, Correspondence and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Late President of the United States”, p.487

Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Revolution, Republican
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.352

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.

Thomas Jefferson
Freedom, 4th Of July, Thinking
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.379

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it.

Thomas Jefferson
Motivational, Truth, Freedom
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1859). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence”, p.37

The dead should not rule the living

Thomas Jefferson
Should

Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.

Thomas Jefferson
Reading, Mean, Men
Letter to Edward Carrington, 16 Jan. 1787

When I hear another express an opinion which is not mine, I say to myself, he has a right to his opinion, as I to mine. Why should I question it? His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixote, to bring all men by force of argument to one opinion? ...Be a listener only, keep within yourself, and endeavor to establish with yourself the habit of silence, especially in politics.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Errors, Silence

Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone.

Thomas Jefferson
Religion, Known
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.300

Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against these evils of misgovernment.

Thomas Jefferson
People, Evil, Protect
Thomas Jefferson, Andrew M. Allison (1983). “The Real Thomas Jefferson”, Natl Center for Constitutional

No government can be maintained without the principle of fear as well as duty. Good men will obey the last, but bad ones the former only. If our government ever fails, it will be from this weakness.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Good Man, Weakness
Thomas Jefferson (2011). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Retirement Series, Volume 7: 28 November 1813 to 30 September 1814”, p.648, Princeton University Press

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.

Thomas Jefferson
Art, Honesty, Government
Thomas Jefferson (1853). “The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private”, p.141

The doctrines of Jesus are simple and tend all to the happiness of man, that there is only one God and God is perfect. That God and man are one. That to love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself, is the sum of religion. These are the great points on which I endeavor to reform and live my life.

Thomas Jefferson
Jesus, Heart, Simple

The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties.

Thomas Jefferson
Communication, Writing, Liberty