Thomas Jefferson Quotes

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.

Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.

Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.

No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms.

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.

A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.

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.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

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.

I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no characte

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.

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

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.

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 nece

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty.

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.