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

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Government Quotes

My principle is to do whatever is right, and leave the consequences to Him who...

My principle is to do whatever is right, and leave the consequences to Him who...

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

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

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

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

I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of...

I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of...

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning...

On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning...

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

When any one State in the American Union refuses obedience to the Confederation by which...

When any one State in the American Union refuses obedience to the Confederation by which...

I believe that justice is instinct and innate; the moral sense is as much a...

I believe that justice is instinct and innate; the moral sense is as much a...

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook...

Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook...

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

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

A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high virtues of...

A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high virtues of...

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 do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.

I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want...

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want...

Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road...

Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road...

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and...

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and...

Our nature is obscured by work done by the compulsion of want or fear. The...

Our nature is obscured by work done by the compulsion of want or fear. The...

There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less...

There are risks and costs to a program of action, but they are far less...

The first step binds one to the second.

The first step binds one to the second.

Physical courage, which despises all danger, will make a man brave in one way; and...

Physical courage, which despises all danger, will make a man brave in one way; and...