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

Thomas Jefferson Quote

“[N]othing can be more opposed [to American principles] than the maxims of absolute monarchies. Yet, from such, we are to expect the greater number of emigrants. They will bring with them the principles of the governments they leave, imbibed in their early youth; or, if able to throw them off, it will be in exchange for an unbounded licentiousness, passing, as is usual, from one extreme to another. It would be a miracle were they to stop precisely at the point of temperate liberty. These principles, with their language, they will transmit to their children. In proportion to their numbers, they will share with us the legislation. They will infuse into it their spirit, warp and bias its direction, and render it a heterogenous, incoherent, distracted mass.”

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
~ Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 8 (1783)

Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

American principles? ? ? I whole-heartedly assume, considering the source and historical applications, such "principle" reference is to a universal axiom or maxim of truth that is so clear that it cannot be disproved nor contradicted. “A principle of law is a rule or axiom which is founded in ⋯ nature ⋯, and it exists before it is expressed in the form of a rule.” (Bouvier’s Law Dictionary)

The totalitarianism of an absolute monarch is also found in ruling oligarchies of democracy, the full gamut of socialism (communism to fascism, liberals to conservatives, progressives to neocons, etc.), theocratic overlords and others. As is human nature, most immigrants have historically been looking to bask in the light of rights, liberty and a personal opportunity to financially better themselves and family. Much of today’s immigration, supported by patrons and supporters of the occupying statist theocracy infesting this land has been a religious degradation to destroy rights, liberty and financially prosperous opportunities (such certainly “bring with them the principles of the government they leave,”)

Another micro example of the quote’s focus is the movement of people within the boundaries of the States united. Once theocratic socialists imbibed from their youth (theocratic seminaries = government schools, MSM, etc.) have sufficiently destroyed rights, liberty and financially prosperous opportunities (California, Michigan, etc.) they immigrate to other States passing on their inherent licentiousness, new meanings of words, transgressed principles, warped and biased perspectives and incoherent distractions.

E Archer, NYC

The American republican ideal has already been diluted, not with monarchists, but with statists that wish to live off the State.  Socialism is no different than monarchy in terms of the common man  he is beholden to the whims and passions of others.  The principle of America is to be free from the dictates of men and respected as the 'noblemen' we are, pillars of fellowship.  We have yet to see how it could be ...

Fredrick William Sillik, Anytown

Isn't the heterogeneous path a coherent, attentive strategy?  Can you really assert that president Jefferson, himself, was coordinated, reasonable, unbiased or even coherent in this quote?

anonymous
  • 1
  • Reply
    anonymous    5/25/23

    It will be more difficult today with a woke administration of dysphoric 'leaders' and teachers which are mostly Marxists to expect anyone to adopt our Constitution or the theory of any sort of real liberty. The US has the NDAA which pretty much nullifies all the gifts from God and the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.
    The UN is promising to what, destroy the USA by diluting it with millions of young males from all around the world, mostly from socialist or communist countries (if there is a difference), swarming across the border like ants to honey by invitation of the US pres. who appears to be telling the people of the US the border is closed and EVERYONE else in the world to come on in without any sort of vetting. THIS is not the vision of Jefferson. Or any other Founder seeking a nation of religious and virtuous people who could understand individual liberty. With ethical people in power this quote would have described today's USA, but as it stands the USA is about to end its life by suicide.

    @

    Get a Quote-a-Day!

    Liberty Quotes sent to your mail box daily.