Thomas Jefferson Quotes

Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence Of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom & Father of the University of Virginia.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.

~ Thomas Jefferson

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

~ Thomas Jefferson

It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor - over each other.

~ Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.

~ Thomas Jefferson

The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.

~ Thomas Jefferson

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

~ Thomas Jefferson

He who knows best knows how little he knows.

~ Thomas Jefferson

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.

~ Thomas Jefferson

I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.

~ Thomas Jefferson

History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Power is not alluring to pure minds.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people.

~ Thomas Jefferson

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just that his justice cannot sleep forever.

~ Thomas Jefferson

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

~ Thomas Jefferson

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

~ Thomas Jefferson

Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.

~ Thomas Jefferson

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

~ Thomas Jefferson

I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way.

~ Thomas Jefferson

There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world.

~ Thomas Jefferson

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

~ Thomas Jefferson

We never repent of having eaten too little.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very important one to society.

~ Thomas Jefferson

One man with courage is a majority.

~ Thomas Jefferson

One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more.

~ Thomas Jefferson

I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves without a master.

~ Thomas Jefferson

When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.

~ Thomas Jefferson

No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Wisdom I know is social. She seeks her fellows. But Beauty is jealous, and illy bears the presence of a rival.

~ Thomas Jefferson

The moment a person forms a theory, his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory.

~ Thomas Jefferson

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.

~ Thomas Jefferson

I have no ambition to govern men it is a painful and thankless office.

~ Thomas Jefferson

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

~ Thomas Jefferson