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

Thomas Jefferson

Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

According Goodness Human Imperfection Love Perfection
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Calm Courage Liberty Men Prefer Time
I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Freedom Legal Religion
Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Animal Experience Man Poor Prey Rich
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Gain Government Ground Liberty Progress
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

Civilization Expectation Freedom Ignorant Nation State
I am increasingly persuaded that the earth belongs exclusively to the living and that one generation has no more right to bind another to it’s laws and judgments than one independent nation has the right to command another.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Earth Generation Independence Judgement Nation Politics
What a stupendous, what an incomprehensible machine is man! Who can endure toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment and death itself in vindication of his own liberty, and the next moment
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Death Liberty Machine Man Struggle
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Friendship Man Peace Policy Pursure Wise
He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it the second time.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Himself Honesty Human Nature Lying
The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Deep Intelligence Silence Talent Value Writing
We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Country Government Majority Participate Politics
History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their civil as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purposes.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Believe Government History Ignorance People Religious
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Alone Freedom Government Need Support Truth
Never trouble another with what you can do yourself.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Courtesy Hurt One Liner Respect Trouble Yourself
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

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

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

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