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

Thomas Jefferson

The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Gain Government Ground Liberty Progress
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
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
I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves ; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Control Liberty People Power Safe Society
The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Equality Government Happiness Individual Man Right
Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Advantage Circumstances Cool Peace Person
In questions of power, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Confidence Constitution Democracy Law Man Power
A great deal of love given to a few is better than a little to many.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Business Deal Great Love
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Dreamss Future History Inspirational One Liner Past
Think as you please, and so let others, and you will have no disputes.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Dispute Forgiveness Inspirational Let Go One Liner Please
All should be laid open to you without reserve, for there is not a truth existing which I fear, or would wish unknown to the whole world.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Exist Fear Lost Reserve Truth World
Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Cold Hunger Inspirational One Liner Pride Thristy
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Education Mind Rumors Stupidity Truth
The only security of all is in a free press.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Freedom One Liner Security
If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Affair Expectation Government Individual Law Politics
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
Never spend your money before you have it.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Inspirational Life Money One Liner Patience
Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Chapter Honesty One Liner True Wisdom
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

Complain Determine Inspirational Lose Occasion Time
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
When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Fear Government Liberty People Politics
Be polite to all, but intimate with few.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Courtesy Deep Inspirational One Liner Polite
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Atmosphere Government Liberty Resistance Spirit Storm
I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Believe Greatness Inspirational Luck Success Work Hard
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Action Be Yourself Confidence Inspirational Positive
I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Bold Courage Fear Honesty Knowledge Truth
If you want something you’ve never had, You must be willing to do something you’ve never done.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Confidence Courage Hustle Inspirational Trust Work Hard

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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