Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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

Famous As: 3rd President of the United States
Born On: April 13, 1743
Died On: July 4, 1826
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.

I cannot live without books.

I cannot live without books.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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
I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.

I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none

Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none

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

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

Thomas Jefferson
How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!

How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of, and which no other people on earth enjoy!

Thomas Jefferson
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.

The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield, and government to gain ground.

Thomas Jefferson
Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

Thomas Jefferson
Experience declares that man is the only animal which devours his own kind; for I can apply no milder term to the governments of Europe, and to the general prey of the rich on the poor.

Experience declares that man is the only animal which devours his own kind; for I can apply no milder term to the governments of Europe, and to the general prey of the rich on the poor.

Thomas Jefferson
He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

Thomas Jefferson
I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

Thomas Jefferson
Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.

Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.

Thomas Jefferson
Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and opressions of the body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.

Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and opressions of the body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.

Thomas Jefferson
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 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.

Thomas Jefferson
Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.

Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.

Thomas Jefferson
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

Thomas Jefferson
He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it the second time.

He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it the second time.

Thomas Jefferson
I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.

I have no ambition to govern men; it is a painful and thankless office.

Thomas Jefferson
I hope that we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

I hope that we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.

Thomas Jefferson
Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

Thomas Jefferson
Those who expect to be both ignorant and free, expect what never was and never will be.

Those who expect to be both ignorant and free, expect what never was and never will be.

Thomas Jefferson
An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.

An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.

Thomas Jefferson
Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.

Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

Thomas Jefferson
I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.

I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.

Thomas Jefferson
An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.

An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.

Thomas Jefferson
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have ~Thomas Jefferson

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have ~Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
No people can be both ignorant and free.

No people can be both ignorant and free.

Thomas Jefferson
He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.

Thomas Jefferson
He who knows best knows how little he knows.

He who knows best knows how little he knows.

Thomas Jefferson
It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice

It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice

Thomas Jefferson
I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.

I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.

Thomas Jefferson
Good wine is a necessity of life for me.

Good wine is a necessity of life for me.

Thomas Jefferson
We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed.

We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty in a featherbed.

Thomas Jefferson
The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his (sic)patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his (sic)patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease

Thomas Jefferson
A great deal of love given to a few is better than a little to many.

A great deal of love given to a few is better than a little to many.

Thomas Jefferson
The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.

The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.

Thomas Jefferson
The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.

The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.

Thomas Jefferson
Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.

Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.

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

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

Thomas Jefferson
Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.

Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.

Thomas Jefferson
The dead should not rule the living.

The dead should not rule the living.

Thomas Jefferson
The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture.

--The Fruit Hunters

The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture. --The Fruit Hunters

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

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

Thomas Jefferson
I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty.

I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty.

Thomas Jefferson
Never trouble another for what you can do yourself

Never trouble another for what you can do yourself

Thomas Jefferson
Neither Pagan nor Mahamedan nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion. -quoting John Locke's argument.

Neither Pagan nor Mahamedan nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion. -quoting John Locke's argument.

Thomas Jefferson
[Christianity is] the most ... perverted system that ever shone on man.

[Christianity is] the most ... perverted system that ever shone on man.

Thomas Jefferson
It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.

Thomas Jefferson
Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.

Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.

Thomas Jefferson
A little rebellion is good now and then.

A little rebellion is good now and then.

Thomas Jefferson
The only security of all is in a free press.

The only security of all is in a free press.

Thomas Jefferson
I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

Thomas Jefferson
Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.

Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.

Thomas Jefferson
The laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.

The laws that forbid the carrying of arms... disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.

Thomas Jefferson
It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

Thomas Jefferson
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.

Thomas Jefferson
Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.

Thomas Jefferson
Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

Thomas Jefferson
I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.

I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.

Thomas Jefferson
In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.

In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.

Thomas Jefferson
Without books, I would certainly die.

Without books, I would certainly die.

Thomas Jefferson
Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own.

Our properties within our own territories [should not] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own.

Thomas Jefferson
Health, learning and virtue will ensure your happiness; they will give
you a quiet conscience, private esteem and public honour.

Health, learning and virtue will ensure your happiness; they will give you a quiet conscience, private esteem and public honour.

Thomas Jefferson
We have no right to prejudice another in his civil enjoyments because he is of another church.

We have no right to prejudice another in his civil enjoyments because he is of another church.

Thomas Jefferson
Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion.

Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion.

Thomas Jefferson
No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, no culture comparable to that of the garden...But though an old man, I am but a young gardener.

No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, no culture comparable to that of the garden...But though an old man, I am but a young gardener.

Thomas Jefferson
I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow; I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.

I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow; I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.

Thomas Jefferson
I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale of a book can become a subject of inquiry, and of criminal inquiry too.

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale of a book can become a subject of inquiry, and of criminal inquiry too.

Thomas Jefferson
...We are all Federalists,and we are all Republicans.

...We are all Federalists,and we are all Republicans.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, that glorious moment in time when everyone stops and reloads.

Peace, that glorious moment in time when everyone stops and reloads.

Thomas Jefferson
In matters of principal stand like a rock.

In matters of principal stand like a rock.

Thomas Jefferson
Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.

Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.

Thomas Jefferson
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.

I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.

Thomas Jefferson