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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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I am savage enough to prefer the woods, the wilds, and the independence of Monticello, to all the brilliant pleasures of this gaycapital [Paris].
Thomas Jefferson
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We do not mean to count or weigh our contributions by any standard other than that of our abilities.
Thomas Jefferson
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Everything is useful which contributes to fix the principles and practices of virtue.
Thomas Jefferson
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From the dissensions among Sects themselves arise necessarily a right of choosing and necessity of deliberating to which we will conform. But if we choose for ourselves, we must allow others to choose also, and so reciprocally, this establishes religious liberty.
Thomas Jefferson
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I am entirely persuaded that the agitations of the public mind advance its powers, and that at every vibration between the points of liberty and despotism, something will be gained for the former. As men become better informed, their rulers must respect them the more.
Thomas Jefferson
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Were I to commence my administration again, the first question I would ask respecting a candidate would be, Does he use ardent spirits?
Thomas Jefferson
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Establish the eternal truth that acquiescence under insult is not the way to escape war.
Thomas Jefferson
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An informed citizenry is the only true repository of the public will.
Thomas Jefferson
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Having labored faithfully in establishing the right of self-government, we see in the rising generation, into whose hands it is passing, that purity of principle and energy of character which will protect and preserve it through their day, and deliver it over to their sons as they receive it from their fathers.
Thomas Jefferson
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No man will ever bring out of that office the reputation which carries him into it. The honeymoon would be as short in that case as in any other, and its moments of ecstasy would be ransomed by years of torment and hatred.
Thomas Jefferson
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I believe the states can best govern our home concerns, and the general government our foreign ones.
Thomas Jefferson
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Ignorance is a poor tool in a battle of wits.
Thomas Jefferson
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It takes time to persuade men to do even what is for their own good.
Thomas Jefferson
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Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.
Thomas Jefferson
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The happiest hours of my life have been spent in the flow of affection among friends.
Thomas Jefferson
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The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.
Thomas Jefferson
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The interests of a nation, when well understood, will be found to coincide with their moral duties.
Thomas Jefferson
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Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. Education and free discussion are the antidotes of both.
Thomas Jefferson
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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
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I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
Thomas Jefferson