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 JEFFERSONSome men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.
More Thomas Jefferson Quotes
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When angry, count 10. before you speak; if very angry, 100.
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Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.
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Be polite to all, but intimate with few.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Take things always by their smooth handle.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions any more than our opinions in physics or geometry.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
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 -
When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.
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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 -
History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.
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The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it the second time.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Nothing is troublesome that one does willingly.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Never buy a thing you do not want, because it is cheap, it will be dear to you.
THOMAS JEFFERSON -
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
THOMAS JEFFERSON