So confident am I in the intentions, as well as wisdom, of the government, that I shall always be satisfied that what is not done, either cannot, or ought not to be done.
Author
Thomas Jefferson
159 quotations
About Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father and the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He also served as the second vice president under John Adams from 1797 to 1801. Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Read on Wikipedia → Find books by Thomas JeffersonWisdom I know is social. She seeks her fellows. But Beauty is jealous, and illy bears the presence of a rival.
I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.
Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.
War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.
I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another.
The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.
I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.
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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 fi…
The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.
In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.
Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very important one to society.
There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world.
Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.
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.
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.
When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.
One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more.
It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.
The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.
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 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.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
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.