Were I to commence my administration again, the first question I would ask respecting a candidate would be, Does he use ardent spirits? Thomas Jefferson More Quotes by Thomas Jefferson More Quotes From Thomas Jefferson The end of democracy and the defeat of the American Revolution will occur when government falls into the hands of lending institutions and moneyed incorporations. Thomas Jefferson governmenthandsfall Laws that forbid the carrying of arms . . . disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes . . . Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants; they serve rather to encourage than to prevent homicides, for an unarmed man may be attacked with greater confidence than an armed man. Thomas Jefferson gunlawmen A true patriot will defend his country from its government. Thomas Jefferson patriotgovernmentcountry The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite. Thomas Jefferson issuesreligiousmen Who will govern the governors? There is only one force in the nation that can be depended upon to keep the government pure and the governors honest, and that is the people themselves. They alone, if well informed, are capable of preventing the corruption of power, and of restoring the nation to its rightful course if it should go astray. They alone are the safest depository of the ultimate powers of government. Thomas Jefferson honestgovernmentpeople When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil. Thomas Jefferson votingprinciplesevil When you abandon freedom to achieve security, you lose both and deserve neither. Thomas Jefferson abandonsecurityachieve Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty. Thomas Jefferson wisdomeducationpeople The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. Thomas Jefferson businessreadingbook I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery. Thomas Jefferson freedomgunwar I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend. Thomas Jefferson sadfriendshipphilosophy Does the government fear us? Or do we fear the government? When the people fear the government, tyranny has found victory. The federal government is our servant, not our master! Thomas Jefferson southerngovernmentpeople I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Thomas Jefferson armymoneybelieve The cornerstone of democracy rests on the foundation of an educated electorate. Thomas Jefferson foundationeducateddemocracy The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart. Thomas Jefferson godly4th-of-julyheart In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson successmotivationalinspirational Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost. Thomas Jefferson libertyfreedommedia To learn, you have to listen. To improve, you have to try. Thomas Jefferson efforttrying When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty. Thomas Jefferson rebelliondutylaw Equal rights for all, special privileges for none Thomas Jefferson equality4th-of-julyrights
