Thomas Jefferson, (1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page [241-257] of 257 Thomas Jefferson quotesThomas Jefferson QuotesThomas Jefferson Previous 30 quotes I agree with you that it is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities, which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country.~ Thomas Jefferson I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another.~ Thomas Jefferson It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.~ Thomas Jefferson Mischief may be done negatively as well as positively. Of this, a cabal in the Senate of the United States has furnished many proofs. Nor do I believe them necessary to protect the wealthy; because enough of these will find their way into every branch of the legislation, to protect themselves. I think the best remedy is exactly that provided by all our constitutions, to leave to the citizens the free election and separation of the aristoi from the pseudo-aristoi, of the wheat from the chaff. In general they will elect the really good and wise. In some instances, wealth may corrupt, and birth blind them; but not in sufficient degree to endanger the society.~ Thomas Jefferson Our liberty depends on freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.~ Thomas Jefferson Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.~ Thomas Jefferson The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government, and provision should be made to prevent its ascendancy. On the question, what is the best provision, you and I differ; but we differ as rational friends, using the free exercise of our own reason, and mutually indulging its errors. You think it best to put the pseudo-aristoi into a separate chamber of legislation [the Senate], where they may be hindered from doing mischief by their coordinate branches, and where, also, they may be a protection to wealth against the agrarian and plundering enterprises of the majority of the people. I think that to give them power in order to prevent them from doing mischief, is arming them for it, and increasing instead of remedying the evil.~ Thomas Jefferson The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the latter.~ Thomas Jefferson The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded, are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them, they cannot love us ...~ Thomas Jefferson To preserve the freedom of the human mind then and freedom of the press, every spirit should be ready to devote itself to martyrdom.~ Thomas Jefferson Tobacco is a culture productive of infinite wretchedness.~ Thomas Jefferson When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.~ Thomas Jefferson Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government; whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied upon to set them to rights.~ Thomas Jefferson Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.~ Thomas Jefferson Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.~ Thomas Jefferson Yet the hour of emancipation is advancing ... this enterprise is for the young; for those who can follow it up, and bear it through to it's consummation. It shall have all my prayers, and these are the only weapons of an old man.~ Thomas Jefferson ~ Thomas Jefferson Previous 30 quotes Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print