Power is not alluring to pure minds.

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Thomas Jefferson Quotes

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

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

In defense of our persons and properties under actual violation, we took up arms. When...

In defense of our persons and properties under actual violation, we took up arms. When...

Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers,...

Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers,...

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...

I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may...

I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may...

The natural cause of the human mind is certainly from credulity to skepticism.

The natural cause of the human mind is certainly from credulity to skepticism.

Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reenactments; because a constant hold by the...

Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reenactments; because a constant hold by the...

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

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

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

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

I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest...

I never did, or countenanced, in public life, a single act inconsistent with the strictest...

There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

There is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.

Under the law of nature, all men are born free, every one comes into the...

Under the law of nature, all men are born free, every one comes into the...

Taste cannot be controlled by law

Taste cannot be controlled by law

All authority belongs to the people

All authority belongs to the people

Men are disposed to live honestly, if the means of doing so are open to...

Men are disposed to live honestly, if the means of doing so are open to...

Liberty is to the collective body, what health is to every individual body. Without health...

Liberty is to the collective body, what health is to every individual body. Without health...

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...

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...

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and...

Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and...

If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it...

If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it...