I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labour of the industrious.

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Government Quotes

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

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

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

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

I am captivated more by dreams of the future than by the history of the...

I am captivated more by dreams of the future than by the history of the...

What is true of every member of the society, individually, is true of them all...

What is true of every member of the society, individually, is true of them all...

The danger is that the cruel arts of their oppressors have enchained their minds, have...

The danger is that the cruel arts of their oppressors have enchained their minds, have...

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

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

Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

Be polite to all, but intimate with few.

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,...

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

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

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.

In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.

In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.

Speeches that are measured by the hour will die with the hour.

Speeches that are measured by the hour will die with the hour.

Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves...

Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves...

The evidence of the natural rights of expatriation, like that of our right to life,...

The evidence of the natural rights of expatriation, like that of our right to life,...

Conquest is not in our principles; it is inconsistent with our government.

Conquest is not in our principles; it is inconsistent with our government.

Never spend your money before you have it.

Never spend your money before you have it.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they...

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they...

Honesty, disinterestedness and good nature are indispensable to procure the esteem and confidence of those...

Honesty, disinterestedness and good nature are indispensable to procure the esteem and confidence of those...

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and...

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and...

The confidence of ignorance will always overcome the indecision of knowledge

The confidence of ignorance will always overcome the indecision of knowledge