Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson, (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President

Thomas Jefferson Quote

“I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
~ Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
a letter written to Benjamin Rush in 1800 in response to Rush's warning about the Philadelphia clergy attacking Jefferson. Carved at the top of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.

America , Disarmament , Freedom , God , Liberty , President , Propaganda , Religion , Vigilance

Ratings and Comments


Elsie, Buffalo
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Elsie, Buffalo    5/8/05

MY favorite and most-cherished quote by any one of our founding fathers! Wish I could rent BILLBOARDS all over the country to put this on! Especially now!

KS
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KS    8/1/05

Amen.We need more Americans to be like Thomas Jefferson.

A.Jurgensen, Stuart, FL
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A.Jurgensen, Stuart, FL    8/1/05

Hm...'altar of God' and 'tyranny over the mind of man': Oxymoronic?

George, Philadelphia
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George, Philadelphia    8/1/05

Jefferson ranks up there along with oxygen.

Joe, Rochester, MI
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Joe, Rochester, MI    8/1/05

Government is our tyranny. They lie to us, yet we believe they are helping us. There is no government, like NO government.

Michael Benton, Beaufort, SC
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Michael Benton, Beaufort, SC    1/14/10

It is a great quote but slightly out of context as presented. It is from a letter to B. Rush in 1800 that attacks the clergy. Here is a better representation of Jefferson's intent: "The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, and they [the clergy] believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: & enough too in their opinion, & this is the cause of their printing lying pamphlets against me. . ."

Mike, Norwalk
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    Mike, Norwalk    6/22/23

    Amen, Amen and Amen ! ! !  —  Me too ! ! !

    Ronw13, ID
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    Ronw13, ID    6/22/23

    Absolutely !!

    Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown
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      Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown    6/22/23

      Is it possible to take an oath against tyranny with a make believe force? Is not President Jefferson using a tyrannical aid to profess some opposition against tyranny? 

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