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I think by far the most important bill in our whole code is that for the diffusion of knowlege among the people. no other sure foundation can be devised for the preservation of freedom, and happiness.

Thomas Jefferson

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Thomas Jefferson
Age: 83 †
Born: 1743
Born: April 2
Died: 1826
Died: July 4
3Rd U.S. President
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More quotes by Thomas Jefferson

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Ignorance and bigotry, like other insanities, are incapable of self-government.
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The provisions we have made [for our government] are such as please ourselves they answer the substantial purposes of government and of justice, and other purposes than these should not be answered.
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I feel much alarmed at the prospect of seeing General Jackson President. He is the most unfit man I know for such a place.
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I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians.
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Good wine is a necessity of life for me.
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Though [the people] may acquiesce, they cannot approve what they do not understand.
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I have but one system of ethics for men and for nations - to be grateful, to be faithful to all engagements under all circumstances, to be open and generous, promoting in the long run even the interests of both
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Man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all education in him. From his cradle to his grave he is learning to do what he sees others do.
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Newspapers . . . serve as chimnies to carry off noxious vapors and smoke.
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Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.
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A noiseless course, not meddling with the affairs of others, unattractive of notice, is a mark that society is going on in happiness. If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them, they must become happy.
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I have sworn upon the altar of god.
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The Creator has not thought proper to mark those in the forehead who are of stuff to make good generals. We are first, therefore, to seek them blindfold, and then let them learn the trade at the expense of great losses.
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The ordinary affairs of a nation offer little difficulty to a person of any experience.
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Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.
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We see the wisdom of Solon's remark, that no more good must be attempted than the nation can bear.
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Congress has scarcely any thing to employ them, and complain that the place [Washington, D.C.] is remarkably dull.
Thomas Jefferson
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A government is republican in proportion as every member composing it has his equal voice in the direction of its concerns, not indeed in person, which would be impracticable beyond the limits of a city or small township, but by representatives chosen by himself and responsible to him at short periods.
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Easter was when they nailed Him to the cross. And He never said a mumbling word.
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Perfection in wisdom, as well as in integrity, is neither required nor expected in these agents (public servants). It belongs not to man. The wise know too well their weaknesses to assume infallibility and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.
Thomas Jefferson