 Person > Thomas Jefferson
Owned by Unordained - Created on 01/28/2005 - Never edited 11/08/06 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonIn matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. 10/07/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonThe will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object. 10/02/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonIf a nation expects to be ignorant and free ... it expects what never was and never will be.
09/30/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonWe are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a feather bed. 09/29/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonI 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, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion. 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonShake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.
08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonEnlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonThe 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.
[I rarely see the second part quoted, but I think it's important to realize that Jefferson knew the implications of wha [...] 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonSometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question. 08/01/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonThe care of every man's soul belongs to himself. But what if he neglect the care of it? Well what if he neglect the care of his health or his estate, which would more nearly relate to the state. Will the magistrate make a law that he not be poor or sick? Laws provide against injury from others; but not from ourselves. God himself will not save men against their wills. 07/31/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonYet it is easy to foresee, from the nature of things, that the encroachments of the State governments will tend to an excess of liberty which will correct itself, while those of the General Government will tend to monarchy, which will fortify itself from day to day. 07/31/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonI would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it. 07/31/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonAn honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens. 01/14/05 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonIt is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. 08/18/04 :: Reference :: (link) :: Live free or die07/01/04 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonA wise and frugal Government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement. 07/01/04 :: Quote :: Thomas JeffersonThe legitimate powers of government extend to such acts as are only injurious to others. But 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. |
