The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Topics: Destruction Quotes, Life Quotes

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.

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...

When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.

When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending...

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than those attending...

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...

The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most,...

The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most,...

We never repent of having eaten too little.

We never repent of having eaten too little.

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...

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans,...

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans,...

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.

France has sincerely wished peace, and their seducers have wished war, as well for the...

France has sincerely wished peace, and their seducers have wished war, as well for the...

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to bear arms is, as...

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to bear arms is, as...

No defender of slavery, I concede that it has its benevolent aspects in lifting the...

No defender of slavery, I concede that it has its benevolent aspects in lifting the...

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually...

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually...

Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the...

Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the...

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale...

I am mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, the sale...

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and...

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and...

Great collections of books are subject to certain accidents besides the damp, the worms, and...

Great collections of books are subject to certain accidents besides the damp, the worms, and...