Taxes should be continued by annual or biennial reenactments; because a constant hold by the nation of the strings of the public purse is a salutary restraint from which an honest government ought not to wish nor a corrupt one…

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Government Quotes

I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another.

I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another.

He who knows best knows how little he knows.

He who knows best knows how little he knows.

If God is just, I tremble for my country.

If God is just, I tremble for my country.

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may...

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may...

In every country and in every age the priest has been hostile to liberty; he...

In every country and in every age the priest has been hostile to liberty; he...

I can not live with out books.

I can not live with out books.

Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of...

Books constitute capital. A library book lasts as long as a house, for hundreds of...

It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.

It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Don't talk about what you have done or what you are going to do.

Don't talk about what you have done or what you are going to do.

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

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

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and...

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and...

It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of...

It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of...

Traveling makes a man wiser, but less happy.

Traveling makes a man wiser, but less happy.

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.

Let those flatter who fear; it is not an American art

Let those flatter who fear; it is not an American art

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.

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as...

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as...

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.

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...