Our wish is that...[there be] maintained that state of property, equal or unequal, which results to every man from his own industry or that of his fathers. Thomas Jefferson More Quotes by Thomas Jefferson More Quotes From Thomas Jefferson It is between fifty and sixty years since I read it (i.e. the Book of Revelations), and I then considered it merely the ravings of a maniac, no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherence of our own nightly dreams. Thomas Jefferson religiousdreambook There is not one redeeming feature in our superstition of Christianity. It has made one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. Thomas Jefferson hypocritereligiousfather I am... for freedom of the press, and against all violations of the Constitution to silence by force and not by reason the complaints or criticisms, just or unjust, of our citizens against the conduct of their agents. Thomas Jefferson politicalsilencecriticism The day is not distant when we must bear and adopt [the abolition of slavery], or worse will follow. Thomas Jefferson abolition-of-slaveryrevolutionbears The Bible is the cornerstone of liberty. Thomas Jefferson cornerstones4th-of-julyliberty Our Constitution... has not left the religion of its citizens under the power of its public functionaries, were it possible that any of these should consider a conquest over the conscience of men either attainable or applicable to any desirable purpose. Thomas Jefferson atheismcitizensmen Self-love . . . is the sole antagonist of virtue, leading us constantly by our propensities to self-gratification in violation of our moral duties to others. Thomas Jefferson moralselflove-is I have sworn upon the altar of God Eternal, hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. Thomas Jefferson changereligiousmen I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep forever: that, considering numbers, nature, and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among possible events: that it may become probable by supernatural interference! The Almighty has no attribute which can take side with us in such a contest. Thomas Jefferson sleepmeancountry The press is the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man, and improving him as a rational, moral and social being Thomas Jefferson mediamindmen It is important to strengthen the State governments; and as this cannot be done by any change in the Federal Constitution (for the preservation of that is all we need contend for), it must be done by the States themselves, erecting such barriers at the constitutional line as cannot be surmounted either by themselves or by the General Government. The only barrier in their power is a wise government. A weak one will lose ground in every contest. Thomas Jefferson governmentimportantwise I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever. Thomas Jefferson godwarcountry [The purpose of a written constitution is] to bind up the several branches of government by certain laws, which, when they transgress, their acts shall become nullities; to render unnecessary an appeal to the people, or in other words a rebellion, on every infraction of their rights, on the peril that their acquiescence shall be construed into an intention to surrender those rights. Thomas Jefferson governmentrightslaw Laws that forbid the carrying of arms disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes. Thomas Jefferson strong-armsgunlaw Specie [gold and silver coin] is the most perfect medium because it will preserve its own level; because, having intrinsic and universal value, it can never die in our hands, and it is the surest resource of reliance in time of war. Thomas Jefferson perfectwarhands It is an insult to our citizens to question whether they are rational beings or not, and blasphemy against religion to suppose it cannot stand the test of truth and reason. Thomas Jefferson atheismtestscitizens No society can make a perpetual constitution... The earth belongs always to the living generation. Thomas Jefferson generationsearthanimal Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power. Thomas Jefferson constitutionlibertygovernment A prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a people who mean to be free. Thomas Jefferson tyrantscharactermean Convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, and that they are not safe unless enlightened to a certain degree, I have looked on our present state of liberty as a short-lived possession unless the mass of the people could be informed to a certain degree. Thomas Jefferson libertyeducationpeople
