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Thomas Jefferson

100 quotes

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) was an American Founding Father who served as the third President of the United States. He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, a champion of democracy, religious freedom, and individual rights. Jefferson was also an architect, inventor, and founder of the University of Virginia.

“Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Friendship

All Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

“As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Men

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Alone

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Fear

“For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Best

“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

“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 character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Nature

“Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Wisdom

“War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.”

— Thomas Jefferson

War

“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.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.”

— Thomas Jefferson

War

“To penetrate and dissipate these clouds of darkness, the general mind must be strengthened by education.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Education

“When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Anger

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Motivational

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

— Thomas Jefferson

God

“Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations entangling alliances with none.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Friendship

“Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Politics

“One man with courage is a majority.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Courage

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Inspirational

“I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.”

— Thomas Jefferson

War