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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.

“Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor - over each other.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Religion

All Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

“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.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“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.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Motivational

“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

“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

“The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Good

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Hope

“Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. 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 blindfolded fear.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Fear

“That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.”

— Thomas Jefferson

War

“I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Knowledge

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Time

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

— Thomas Jefferson

Wisdom

“He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Knowledge

“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.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Hope

“I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

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

— Thomas Jefferson

God

“The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Government

“I find that he is happiest of whom the world says least, good or bad.”

— Thomas Jefferson

Good