"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

That liberty [is pure] which is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone. (to Horatio Gates, 1798)
~ Thomas Jefferson ~












That liberty [is pure] which is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone. (to Horatio Gate...
Show MoreMore Thomas Jefferson quotes
"The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.
"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.
"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
"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.
"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.
"I am increasingly persuaded that the earth belongs exclusively to the living and that one generation has no more right to bind another to it's laws an...