Quotes By Thomas Jefferson

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

Always take hold of things by the smooth handle.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.

The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.

The world is indebted for all triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity over error and oppression.

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

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?

I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.

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

When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.

We did not raise armies for glory or for conquest.

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

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

If God is just, I tremble for my country.

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

He who knows best knows how little he knows.

One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them.

Never spend your money before you have earned it.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

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

Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.

I cannot live without books.

I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.

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 blind-folded fear.