Open Means Open Means
Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Country United States
Born Saturday, 13 April 1743
Category
Quotes 165

About Author

Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 (April 2, 1743 O.S.) – July 4, 1826) was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence (1776) and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom (1777), the third President of the United States (1801–1809) and founder of the University of Virginia (1819). He was an influential Founding Father and an exponent of Jeffersonian democracy.

Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Title Category
Leave no authority existing not responsible to the people. Uncategorized
I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another. Uncategorized
Happiness is not being pained in body or troubled in mind. Uncategorized
I never will, by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others. Uncategorized
Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of years. It is not, then, an article of mere consumption but fairly of capital, and often in the case of professional men, setting out in life, it is their only capital. Uncategorized
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. Uncategorized
Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it. Uncategorized
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. Uncategorized
Always take hold of things by the smooth handle. Uncategorized
None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important. Uncategorized
I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind. Uncategorized
The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. Uncategorized
One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more. Uncategorized
The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground. Uncategorized
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive. Uncategorized
Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government. Uncategorized
Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations. Uncategorized
It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. Uncategorized
Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government. Uncategorized
An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes. Uncategorized