Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.
THOMAS JEFFERSONThe most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.
More Thomas Jefferson Quotes
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Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
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 -
Those who expect to be both ignorant and free, expect what never was and never will be.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
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 -
Nothing is troublesome that one does willingly.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
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 -
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
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 -
I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
If you want something you’ve never had, You must be willing to do something you’ve never done.
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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 -
The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
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