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Thomas Jefferson Quotes

100 Inspirational Quotes By Thomas Jefferson, The Author Of The Declaration Of Independence

Famous As: 3rd President of the United States

Born In: Shadwell, Virginia, United States

Founder / Co Founder: University of Virginia

Died At Age: 83

Thomas Jefferson was one of the most important people of the American Revolution. At seventeen, he was the youngest member of the Continental Congress. Nevertheless, despite his young age, he was blessed with great political skills that made him America’s Founding Father. Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence, which went on to become the most beautiful and most powerful testaments to liberty and equality in world history. It took him just seventeen days to come up with the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. In addition to being a draftsman, Jefferson’s political pursuits made him hold several important political positions. He was the first diplomat abroad, first Secretary of State, second Vice President of America under John Adams and third President of United States of America. A proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, he motivated American colonists to break free from Great Britain and form a new nation. Jeffered even authored the Statue of Virginia for Religious Freedom and was also responsible for the Louisiana Purchase. His belief in equality of mankind, liberty of nation and a free-country concept led him to come up with various quotes that have sowed the bud of nationalism and patriotism in his countrymen and even helped them believe in their individualism. Check out some of the quotes by Thomas Jefferson and get enlightened.

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Quotes by Famous People

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Lawyers & Judges

I cannot live without books.
Books I
Thomas Jefferson

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
You Will
Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.

I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Future Happiness I
Thomas Jefferson

Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.

Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.
Never Will
Thomas Jefferson

I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it

I'm a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it
I
Thomas Jefferson

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.
Thomas Jefferson

On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.

On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.
Like
Thomas Jefferson

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.

We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.
Thomas Jefferson

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.
I
Thomas Jefferson

Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions any more than our opinions in physics or geometry...

Our civil rights have no dependence on our religious opinions any more than our opinions in physics or geometry...
Thomas Jefferson

History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.

History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.
History
Thomas Jefferson

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.

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.
Never Time Will
Thomas Jefferson

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.
Thomas Jefferson

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.
Never Will
Thomas Jefferson

All should be laid open to you without reserve, for there is not a truth existing which I fear, or would wish unknown to the whole world.

All should be laid open to you without reserve, for there is not a truth existing which I fear, or would wish unknown to the whole world.
You Fear I
Thomas Jefferson

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.
Art
Thomas Jefferson

The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.

The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.
Happiness
Thomas Jefferson

There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.

There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.
Thomas Jefferson

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.
Thomas Jefferson

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty.

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of Liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more.

I think one travels more usefully when they travel alone, because they reflect more." (Letter to John Banister, Jr., June 19, 1787)
Think Alone I
Thomas Jefferson

Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.

Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.
Time
Thomas Jefferson

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it.
You
Thomas Jefferson

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.
Will
Thomas Jefferson

Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.

Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.
Thomas Jefferson

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...

Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government...
Thomas Jefferson