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

Thomas Jefferson Quote

“Choice by the people themselves is not generally distinguished for its wisdom.”

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
~ Thomas Jefferson

1776, Jefferson’s Literary Commonplace Book, Wilson, ed., 1989, p. 11.

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

The farther away the politician is from the sovereign individual, the less distinguished his wisdom is considered. The new world order eliminates wisdom all together.

Mike, Mount Holly, NC

This quote is the reason our political system was set up as a representative republic instead of a democracy.

E Archer, NYC

However, choice by the rulers themselves is generally distinguished by the servitude of the people.

garret seinen, port alberni

Jefferson is never bad

cal, lewisville, tx

We still have never had a better president than Jefferson!!!!!!!!!

Waffler, Smith

Kudo's for Archer, He finally really nailed one. This is so unlike Jefferson and taken wholly out of context of the volume of his work. He is the guy that said people should revolt every generation etcetera. And he certainly supported representative governnent which is choice by the people. In the short run the people obviously make mistakes but in the long run history has shown the people's choice to be the better way.

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