Difference of opinion leads to inquiry, and inquiry to the truth. Thomas Jefferson More Quotes by Thomas Jefferson More Quotes From Thomas Jefferson I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. Thomas Jefferson governmentlifethinking He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson wisdomfunlife Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages. Thomas Jefferson vegetarian-dietrightsanimal No experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, and which we trust will end in establishing the fact, that man may be governed by reason and truth. Our first object should therefore be, to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. The most effectual hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is, therefore, the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions. Thomas Jefferson freedom-of-speechmeninteresting I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it. Thomas Jefferson freedompoliticalgovernment The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster cruel vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging three headed beast like god one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes fools and hypocrites. Thomas Jefferson hypocriteatheistchristian When the representative body have lost the confidence of their constituents, when they have notoriously made sale of their most valuable rights, when they have assumed to themselves powers which the people never put into their hands, then indeed their continuing in office becomes dangerous to the state Thomas Jefferson freedomrightshands The press is impotent when it abandons itself to falsehood. Thomas Jefferson abandonpressescivil-rights To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson wisdommenideas 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 pursuit-of-happinessgovernmentpeople An enlightened citizenry is indispensable for the proper functioning of a republic. Self-government is not possible unless the citizens are educated sufficiently to enable them to exercise oversight. It is therefore imperative that the nation see to it that a suitable education be provided for all its citizens. Thomas Jefferson governmentselfexercise 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. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors. Thomas Jefferson changeboyspeace To consider judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy. Thomas Jefferson freedompoliticaljudging Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. Education and free discussion are the antidotes of both. Thomas Jefferson ignoranceracismeducation The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. Thomas Jefferson patrioticfreedomwar Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. Thomas Jefferson successpositiveinspirational We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. Thomas Jefferson government-debtgovernment-welfarehistorical Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks. Thomas Jefferson mind-gamessecond-amendmentgun Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people. Thomas Jefferson responsibleauthoritypeople A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither. Thomas Jefferson successinspirationalorder
