Quotes By Thomas Jefferson

A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.

I think with the Romans, that the general of today should be a soldier tomorrow if necessary.

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greek and Roman leave to us.

So confident am I in the intentions, as well as wisdom, of the government, that I shall always be satisfied that what is not done, either cannot, or ought not to be done.

All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression.

In defense of our persons and properties under actual violation, we took up arms. When that violence shall be removed, when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, hostilities shall cease on our part also.

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.

The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.

My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.

As our enemies have found we can reason like men, so now let us show them we can fight like men also.

Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very fast.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

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

It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.

An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.

It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God.

Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.

Delay is preferable to error.

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.

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

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

Politics is such a torment that I advise everyone I love not to mix with it.

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations.

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

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.

My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.