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If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

Thomas Jefferson

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

Alone Freedom Government Need Support Truth
The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Expression Foundation Freedom Government People Protect
It is an axiom in my mind, that our liberty can never be safe but in the hands of the people themselves, and that too of the people with a certain degree of instruction. This it is the business of the State to effect, and on a general plan.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Business Democracy Instruction Liberty Mind People
How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Blessing Country Enjoyment Freedom Liberty People
Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Knowledge Learning Lost Man Time Value
How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Cost Evil Happen Healing Pain Suffering
But friendship is precious, not only in the shade but in the sunshine of life; & thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine. I will recur for proof to the days we have lately passed. On these indeed the sun shone brightly.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Arrangement Friendship Precious Proof Sun Sunshine
It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Ethics Government Justice Politics Reason
He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Darkness Himself Ideas Instruction Lesson Light
Let us save what remains: not by vaults and locks which fence them from the public eye and use in consigning them to the waste of time, but by such a multiplication of copies, as shall place them beyond the reach of accident.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Accident Heritage History Public Time Wasted Time
Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Chapter Honesty One Liner True Wisdom
Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor morum over each other.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Advantage Difference Each Other Opinion Religion
I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Ambition Men Pain Truth
When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Fear Government Liberty People Politics
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Bank Believe DAngry Institution Liberty Stand
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Destructive Ending Government People Politics Right

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

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If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

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Popular Authors

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