Thomas Jefferson quotes - page 24

Agriculture, manufactures, commerce and navigation, the four pillars of our prosperity, are most thriving when left most free to individual enterprise. (Thomas Jefferson)
A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe, for felicity. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
In every country where man is free to think and to speak, difference of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason but these differences, when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently, and leaving our horizon more bright and serene. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that 'all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.' To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power, not longer susceptible of any definition. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
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. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt...If the game runs sometime against us at home, we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
A nation as a society forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
I am not among those who fear the people. They, and not the rich, are our dependence for continued freedom. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents.... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government, and provisions should be made to prevent its ascendancy. (Thomas Jefferson)
The basis of our governments being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and 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. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
Liberty is the great parent of science and of virtue and a nation will be great in both always in proportion as it is free. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
The construction applied ... to those parts of the Constitution of the United States which delegate Congress a power ... ought not to be construed as themselves to give unlimited powers, nor a part to be so taken as to destroy the whole residue of that instrument. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
Above all things I hope the education of the common people will be attended to, convinced that on their good sense we may rely with the most security for the preservation of a due degree of liberty. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
I see no comfort in outliving one's friends, and remaining a mere monument of the times which are past. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
Tranquility is the old man's milk. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
The sheep are happier of themselves than under the care of a wolf. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
The system of banking have[for]ever reprobated. I contemplate it as a blot left in all our Constitutions, which, if not covered, will end in their destruction, which is already hit by the gamblers in corruption, and is sweeping away in its progress the fortunes and morals of our citizens. (Thomas Jefferson)
I steer my bark with hope in the head, leaving fear astern. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
We discover (in the gospels) a groundwork of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstition, fanaticism and fabrication. View quote
Thomas Jefferson
Difficulties indeed sometimes arise but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them. View quote
Thomas Jefferson