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.

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Thomas Jefferson Quotes

I can not live with out books.

I can not live with out books.

I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt...

I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt...

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

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

I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true...

I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true...

Good humor is one of the preservatives of our peace and tranquility.

Good humor is one of the preservatives of our peace and tranquility.

We have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him, nor safely...

We have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him, nor safely...

Equal rights for all, special privileges for none

Equal rights for all, special privileges for none

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise...

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise...

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

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

If government have a right of demanding ad libitum and of taxing us themselves to...

If government have a right of demanding ad libitum and of taxing us themselves to...

No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity

No nation is permitted to live in ignorance with impunity

An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which...

An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which...

There is...an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents.... The...

There is...an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents.... The...

Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable...

Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable...

I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.

I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.

On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a...

On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a...

Force is the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism.

Force is the vital principle and immediate parent of despotism.

Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace

Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace

Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace

Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both...

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both...

War is not an adventure. It is a disease. It is like typhus.

War is not an adventure. It is a disease. It is like typhus.