Thomas Jefferson was a prolific writer and one of the most influential founding fathers of the United States.
His quotes and writings reflect his keen intellect, deep philosophical and political beliefs, and his passion for liberty and democracy.
Here are some of the key characteristics of Thomas Jefferson quotes:
- Emphasis on individual liberty: Jefferson believed that individual liberty was a fundamental right, and many of his quotes reflect this emphasis. He believed that individuals should have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit, without undue interference from the government or other individuals.
- Support for democracy: Jefferson was a strong advocate for democracy and believed that the government should be accountable to the people. He believed that democracy was essential to the preservation of individual liberty and the protection of human rights.
- Skepticism of authority: Jefferson was deeply skeptical of authority and believed that people should question those in power. He believed that power could easily corrupt individuals and lead to tyranny, which was why he emphasized the importance of individual liberty and democracy.
- Appreciation for education: Jefferson was a strong proponent of education and believed that an educated populace was essential to the success of democracy. He believed that education should be available to all individuals, regardless of their social or economic status.
- Love of nature: Jefferson was also an avid naturalist and had a deep appreciation for the natural world. Many of his quotes reflect this love of nature and his belief in the importance of preserving it for future generations.
Overall, Thomas Jefferson quotes reflect his belief in individual liberty, democracy, and the importance of education and the natural world.
His writings have had a lasting impact on American society and continue to inspire people around the world today.
We have many to share in this article.
Let’s have a look.
Thomas Jefferson Quotes
Here are some Thomas Jefferson quotes:
- “I cannot live without books.”
- “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”
- “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”
- “Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
- “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
- “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
- “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
- “When angry, count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.”
- “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.”
- “I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.”
- “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”
- “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
- “We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.”
- “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.”
- I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
- “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.”
- “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
- “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”
- “He who knows best knows how little he knows.”
- “To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
- “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.”
- “Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.”
- “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”
- “Delay is preferable to error.”
- “The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.”
- “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.”
- “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
- “I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.”
- “I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”
- “No man will ever bring out of the Presidency the reputation which carries him into it.”
- “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.”
- “I never saw an instance of one or two disputants convincing the other by argument.”
- “Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy.”
- “The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.”
- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- “The man who loves his country on its own account, and not merely for its trappings of interest or power, can never be divorced from it.”
- “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
- “The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.”
- “I never yet could find that a black had uttered a thought above the level of plain narration.”
- “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
- “If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest.”
- “The most fortunate of us all in our journey through life frequently meet with calamities and misfortunes which may greatly afflict us, and to fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes should be one of the principal studies and endeavours of our lives.”
- “Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.”
- “I have no desire to be a cat, which walks alone and sits still in a corner; a tree, which stands alone in a field; or a piece of watermelon, which has been cut in half.”
- “The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive.”
- “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
- “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”
- “I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.”
- “The opinions and beliefs of men follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds.”
- “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
- “Every generation needs a new revolution.”
- “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.”
- “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.”
- “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
- “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.”
- “I cannot live without books.”
- “No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.”
- “My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.”
- “Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.”
- “I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.”
- “A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.”
- “It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.”
- “Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses.”
- “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.”
- “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.”
- “I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.”
- “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”
- “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
- “We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.”
- “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.”
- “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”
- “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.”
- “Experience hath shown, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.”
- “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”
- “He who knows best knows how little he knows.”
- “To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
- “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.”
- “Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear.”
- “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.”
- “Delay is preferable to error.”
- “The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.”
- “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.”
- “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
- “I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.”
- “I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”
- “No man will ever bring out of the Presidency the reputation which carries him into it.”
- “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.”
- “I never saw an instance of one or two disputants convincing the other by argument.”
- “Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy.”
- “The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.”
- “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
- “The man who loves his country on its own account, and not merely for its trappings of interest or power, can never be divorced from it.”
- “I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, and that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
- “The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.”
- “I never yet could find that a black had uttered a thought above the level of plain narration.”
- “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
- “Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle.”
- “I have nothing to fear from those who disagree with me, but everything to fear from those who would silence me.”
- “When angry, count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.”
- “The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive.”
- “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
- “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.”
- “I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others.”
- “The opinions and beliefs of men follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds.”
- “A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.”
- “It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.”
- “Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
- “The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.”
- “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”
- “An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.”
These are just a few of the many insightful and inspiring quotes from Thomas Jefferson.
His words continue to resonate with people around the world and serve as a reminder of the importance of liberty, democracy, and individual rights.
What Did Thomas Jefferson Say About Work Ethic and Accomplishments?
Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and one of the Founding Fathers, expressed several thoughts on work ethic and accomplishments throughout his life.
Here are a few quotes attributed to him on these topics:
- “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” This quote highlights Jefferson’s belief that diligent work is crucial for achieving success and that hard work increases the likelihood of favorable outcomes.
- “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” A variation of the above. This statement emphasizes the correlation between hard work and the opportunities that arise from it, often perceived as “luck.”
- The harder the conflict, the greater the triumph.” Jefferson believed that overcoming challenges and adversities through hard work and determination leads to significant accomplishments and victories.
“Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
This quote by Thomas Jefferson reflects his belief in the importance of avoiding idleness and making the most of one’s time.
Let’s break down the meaning of the quote:
- “Determine never to be idle.” Jefferson encourages individuals to make a conscious decision to avoid idleness, indicating that being inactive or unproductive is something to be avoided.
- “No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any.” This statement suggests that if a person remains consistently engaged in meaningful activities and avoids wasting time, they will not feel a lack of time. In other words, the perception of having insufficient time is often a result of not utilizing it effectively.
- “It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.” Jefferson expresses his awe at the potential for achievement when one is consistently engaged and active. By continuously pursuing tasks and goals, individuals can accomplish a remarkable amount.
Overall, this quote highlights Jefferson’s belief in the value of diligence, productivity, and maximizing one’s time.
He emphasizes that by avoiding idleness and making the most of every moment, individuals can accomplish great things and overcome any perceived scarcity of time.
While these quotes capture Thomas Jefferson’s perspective on work ethic and accomplishments, it’s worth noting that they represent a fraction of his overall philosophy and are subject to interpretation.
Jefferson’s writings and actions demonstrate his commitment to education, innovation, and the pursuit of individual and collective progress.
Conclusion – Thomas Jefferson Quotes
Thomas Jefferson’s quotes are a testament to his immense intellect, deep philosophical beliefs, and unwavering commitment to democracy, individual liberty, and human rights.
His words continue to inspire and influence people today, centuries after they were first spoken or written.
Jefferson was a man ahead of his time, with his insights into government, education, and human nature still relevant today.
His unwavering belief in the importance of individual liberty and democracy has left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come.
