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Thomas Jefferson Quotes about Truth

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When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and

When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.

Thomas Jefferson
Freedom, Truth, Knowledge
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, cont”, p.216

The advertisement is the most truthful part of a newspaper.

Thomas Jefferson
Motivational, Truth, Humorous

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)

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

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

I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Knowledge, Politics
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Autobiography, Anas, Writings 1760-1770”, p.454, Cosimo, Inc.

Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error... They are the natural enemies of error, and of error only... If [free enquiry] be restrained now, the present corruptions will be protected, and new ones encouraged.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Errors, Political

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Mistake, Believe
Thomas Jefferson (1977). “The Portable Thomas Jefferson”, p.71, Penguin

There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Honesty, Fear
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence and Papers, 1816-1826”, p.474, Cosimo, Inc.

When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.

Thomas Jefferson
Trust, Truth, Men
Remark to Baron von Humboldt, 1807, in Rayner 'Life of Jefferson' (1834) p. 356

This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, not tolerate error as long as reason is left free to combat it.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, War, Errors
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1859). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretary of state”, p.196

With those who wish to think amiss of me, I have learnt to be perfectly indifferent: but where I know a mind to be ingenuous, andto need only truth to set it to rights, I cannot be as passive.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Thinking, Rights
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.423, Cambridge University Press

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be ... The People cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Men, People
Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, January 6, 1816.

If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Freedom, Ignorance

Never suppose that in any possible situation or under any circumstances that it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing however slightly so it may appear to you... Encourage all your virtuous dispositions, and exercise them whenever an opportunity arises, being assured that they will gain strength by exercise ... and that exercise will make them habitual.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Lying, Exercise
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.60, Rowman & Littlefield

Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible.

Thomas Jefferson
Truth, Lying, Difficult Situations
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoirs, Correspondence, and Private Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Late President of the United States”, p.286

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

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