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Every one must act according to the dictates of his own reason, and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given to the President of the United States, and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents.
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
My principle is to do whatever is right, and leave consequences to him who has the disposal of them.
Thomas Jefferson
It is an essential attribute of the jurisdiction of every country to preserve peace, to punish acts in breach of it, and to restore property taken by force within its limits.
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Private fortunes, in the present state of our circulation, are at the mercy of those self-created money lenders, and are prostrated by the floods of nominal money with which their avarice deluges us.
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I am never tempted to pray but when a warm feeling for my friends comes athwart my heart.
Thomas Jefferson
The appointment of a woman to office is an innovation for which the public is not prepared, nor I.
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Our Constitution... has not left the religion of its citizens under the power of its public functionaries, were it possible that any of these should consider a conquest over the conscience of men either attainable or applicable to any desirable purpose.
Thomas Jefferson
Truth is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless, by human interposition, disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them.
Thomas Jefferson
Though [the people] may acquiesce, they cannot approve what they do not understand.
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The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.
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If I had to choose between government and a free press, I would choose a free press.
Thomas Jefferson
For themselves they fought, for themselves they conquered, and for themselves alone they have they have right to hold.
Thomas Jefferson
Subject opinion to coercion: whom will you make your inquisitors? Fallible men men governed by bad passions, by private as well as public reasons. And why subject it to coercion? To produce uniformity. But is uniformity of opinion desirable? No more than of face and stature.
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Travelling. ... when men of sober age travel, they gather knowlege which they may apply usefully for their country
Thomas Jefferson
Congress has scarcely any thing to employ them, and complain that the place [Washington, D.C.] is remarkably dull.
Thomas Jefferson
It is more dangerous that even a guilty person should be punished without the forms of law than that he should escape.
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An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy.
Thomas Jefferson
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.
Thomas Jefferson
The idea is quite unfounded that on entering into society we give up any natural rights.
Thomas Jefferson
Question with boldness even the existence of a God because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.
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The patriot, like the Christian, must learn to bear revilings and persecutions as a part of his duty and in proportion as the trial is severe, firmness under it becomes more requisite and praiseworthy. It requires, indeed, self-command. But that will be fortified in proportion as the calls for its exercise are repeated.
Thomas Jefferson