💬 SenQuotes.com
 Quotes

Thomas Jefferson Quotes

American trumpet player (d. 1986), Birth: 20-6-1920 Thomas Jefferson Quotes
1.
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson

No impediment can hinder the individual with a constructive mindset from attaining their ambition; nothing in the universe can aid the person with an adverse outlook.
2.
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson

Integrity is the initial page in the tome of knowledge.
3.
The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations.
Thomas Jefferson

The termination of democratic sovereignty and the vanquishing of the American Revolution will transpire when government is under the control of financial institutions and moneyed enterprises.
4.
I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.
Thomas Jefferson

I never contemplated that a difference of opinion in politics, religion, or philosophy should be grounds for severing ties with a friend.
5.
I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.
Thomas Jefferson

I would rather have a wild liberty than a tranquil servitude.
Similar Authors: Louis Armstrong Dizzy Gillespie Lester Bowie Billy Eckstine Freddie Hubbard Chet Baker Donald Byrd Doc Severinsen Don Ellis Al Hirt Tom Harrell Roy Eldridge Lionel Ferbos Maynard Ferguson Don Cornell
6.
Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man.
Thomas Jefferson

7.
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
Thomas Jefferson

When oppression is enshrined in law, defiance becomes an obligation.
8.
Truth between candid minds can never do harm.
Thomas Jefferson

'Honesty between open-hearted individuals can never be detrimental.'
Quote Topics by Thomas Jefferson: Men Government People Country Law Religious Rights War Liberty Believe Exercise Thinking Political Mean Freedom Politics Mind Wisdom Peace Giving Religion Principles Hands Jesus Educational Education Character Book Life Two
9.
The government you elect is the government you deserve.
Thomas Jefferson

You get what you vote for.
10.
Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.
Thomas Jefferson

Our autonomy is dependent on the press having independence, and that cannot be curtailed without being forfeited.
11.
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Thomas Jefferson

Sail with the trends; remain steadfast in your convictions.
12.
When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.
Thomas Jefferson

13.
No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is, therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions.
Thomas Jefferson

14.
When the representative body have lost the confidence of their constituents, when they have notoriously made sale of their most valuable rights, when they have assumed to themselves powers which the people never put into their hands, then indeed their continuing in office becomes dangerous to the state
Thomas Jefferson

15.
Does the government fear us? Or do we fear the government? When the people fear the government, tyranny has found victory. The federal government is our servant, not our master!
Thomas Jefferson

'Does the state dread us? Or do we dread the state? When the citizens are overwhelmed by their government, oppression has been accomplished. The central authority is our assistant, not our ruler!'
16.
A true patriot will defend his country from its government.
Thomas Jefferson

A genuine nationalist will protect his homeland from its leadership.
17.
Who will govern the governors? There is only one force in the nation that can be depended upon to keep the government pure and the governors honest, and that is the people themselves. They alone, if well informed, are capable of preventing the corruption of power, and of restoring the nation to its rightful course if it should go astray. They alone are the safest depository of the ultimate powers of government.
Thomas Jefferson

18.
Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages.
Thomas Jefferson

Until we abstain from injuring other creatures, we are still barbarians.
19.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of freedom must be replenished periodically with the sacrifice of heroes and oppressors.
20.
Equal rights for all, special privileges for none
Thomas Jefferson

"Fairness for all, preferential treatment for none."
21.
I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.
Thomas Jefferson

I believe we have an excessive amount of bureaucracy, with too many freeloaders surviving off the hard work of productive people.
22.
The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.
Thomas Jefferson

As a regime expands, autonomy diminishes.
23.
The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.
Thomas Jefferson

The present predicament is the same as it has been across the ages, whether humanity shall be given autonomy or be managed by a select few.
24.
To learn, you have to listen. To improve, you have to try.
Thomas Jefferson

In order to acquire knowledge, one must attend; in order to progress, one must endeavor.
25.
The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate.
Thomas Jefferson

The basis of democracy is built on the bedrock of an enlightened voting population.
26.
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; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Thomas Jefferson

27.
Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the 'wall of separation between church and state,' therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society.
Thomas Jefferson

28.
There is no justification for taking away individuals' freedom in the guise of public safety.
Thomas Jefferson

29.
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
Thomas Jefferson

30.
Men of quality are not threatened by women of equality
Thomas Jefferson

31.
Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle. The real extent of this state of misinformation is known only to those who are in situations to confront facts within their knowledge with the lies of the day.
Thomas Jefferson

32.
The press is impotent when it abandons itself to falsehood.
Thomas Jefferson

33.
The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors.
Thomas Jefferson

34.
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
Thomas Jefferson

35.
A wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government, and this is necessary to close the circle of our felicities.
Thomas Jefferson

36.
A private central bank issuing the public currency is a greater menace to the liberties of the people than a standing army. We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.
Thomas Jefferson

37.
To consider judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy.
Thomas Jefferson

38.
Those who live by mystery & charlatanerie, fearing you would render them useless by simplifying the Christian philosophy - the most sublime and benevolent, but most perverted system that ever shone on man - endeavored to crush your well-earned & well-deserved fame.
Thomas Jefferson

39.
I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.
Thomas Jefferson

40.
The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.
Thomas Jefferson

41.
The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster cruel vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging three headed beast like god one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes fools and hypocrites.
Thomas Jefferson

42.
Man once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such persons, gullibility, which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason, and the mind becomes a wreck.
Thomas Jefferson

43.
No government should be without critics. If its intentions are good then it has nothing to fear from criticism.
Thomas Jefferson

44.
Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.
Thomas Jefferson

45.
If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.
Thomas Jefferson

46.
The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.
Thomas Jefferson

47.
Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

48.
An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently to enable them to exercise oversight. It is therefore imperative that the nation see to it that a suitable education be provided for all its citizens.
Thomas Jefferson

49.
When you abandon freedom to achieve security, you lose both and deserve neither.
Thomas Jefferson

50.
Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.
Thomas Jefferson