"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.












Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.
More Thomas Jefferson quotes
"That government is best which governs the least because its people discipline themselves.
"The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction.
"If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It...
"Every man wishes to pursue his occupation and to enjoy the fruits of his labours and the produce of his property in peace and safety and with the lea...
"If it is believed that these elementary schools will be better managed by the governor and council or any other general authority of the government, t...
"Sometimes 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 foun...
"History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is.
"It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice
"The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.
"The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government and to protect its free expression should be our first object.
"So confident am I in the intentions, as well as wisdom, of the government, that I shall always be satisfied that what is not done, either cannot, or o...
"I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by poster...
"We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed.
"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.