What Thomas Jefferson thinks about government
Third US President (1743 to 1826); author of the Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson did not write this page.
We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.
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4 dated positions, c. 1781–1787, in their own words. Our reading of what Thomas Jefferson has said — not written or endorsed by them.
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Their wordsThe rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God.
↗Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVII: Religion (1853 edition)en.wikisource.org All 9 from this book
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Their wordsThe mobs of great cities add just so much to the support of pure government as sores do to the strength of the human body.
↗Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XIX: Manufactures (1853 edition)en.wikisource.org All 3 from this book
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Our readingGovernment degenerates when trusted to rulers alone; the people are its only safe depositories
Their wordsEvery Government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories.
↗Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XIV: Laws (1853 edition)en.wikisource.org All 6 from this book
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Their wordsIt is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
↗Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVII: Religion (1853 edition)en.wikisource.org All 9 from this book