Thomas Jefferson Quotes

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.

not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.

I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty.

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.

All should be laid open to you without reserve, for there is not a truth existing which I fear, or would wish unknown to the whole world.

I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.

I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.

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

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.

Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.

And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

A nation which expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, expects that which never was and never will be.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves ; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education. This is the true corrective of abuses of constitutional power.

If it is believed that these elementary schools will be better managed by the governor and council or any other general authority of the government, than by the parents within each ward, it is a belief against all experience.

I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.

I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.

I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow; I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.