I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both;…

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Ethics Quotes

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all.

It is to secure our rights that we resort to government at all.

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance...

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance...

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...

Power is not alluring to pure minds.

Power is not alluring to pure minds.

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

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

The basis of our government (is) is opinion of the people.

The basis of our government (is) is opinion of the people.

Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.

Advertisements contain the only truths to be relied on in a newspaper.

The way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them.

The way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them.

I find that he is happiest of whom the world says least, good or bad.

I find that he is happiest of whom the world says least, good or bad.

We are endeavoring, too, to reduce the government to the practice of a rigorous economy,...

We are endeavoring, too, to reduce the government to the practice of a rigorous economy,...

The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion of principle but...

The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion of principle but...

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life;...

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life;...

We prefer war in all cases to tribute under any form and to any people...

We prefer war in all cases to tribute under any form and to any people...

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

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

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

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

Of all the cankers of human happiness none corrodes with so silent, yet so baneful...

Of all the cankers of human happiness none corrodes with so silent, yet so baneful...

Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is...

Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is...

You cannot change anything in your life with intention alone, which can become a watered-down,...

You cannot change anything in your life with intention alone, which can become a watered-down,...

We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a...

We do not live an equal life, but one of contrasts and patchwork; now a...