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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

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 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
No people can be both ignorant and free.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Freedom Ignorant One Liner Peace People
Some men look at constitutions with sanctimonious reverence, and deem them like the ark of the covenant, too sacred to be touched.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Constitution Government Men Politics Scare Touch
Never buy a thing you do not want, because it is cheap, it will be dear to you.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Cheap Dear Declutter Minimalism One Liner Simplicity
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
Experience declares that man is the only animal which devours his own kind; for I can apply no milder term to the governments of Europe, and to the general prey of the rich on the poor.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Declare Experience Government Man Poor Rich
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
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
Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Citizen Government Illegal Politics
The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Art Consist Government Honesty
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Calm Courage Liberty Men Prefer Time
Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.
THOMAS JEFFERSON

Chapter Honesty One Liner True Wisdom
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
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
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

God Government Injury Neighbor Power Religion

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.

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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.

Related Topics

Popular Authors

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