Quote

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

Thomas Jefferson

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Thomas Jefferson
Age: 83 †
Born: 1743
Born: April 2
Died: 1826
Died: July 4
3Rd U.S. President
Archaeologist
Architect
Cryptographer
Diplomat
Farmer
Inventor
Jurist
Lawyer
Philosopher
Politician
Slaveholder
President Jefferson
T. Jefferson
Men
Circumstances
Promoting
System
Engagement
Open
Faithful
Nations
Generous
Interest
Ethics
Running
Interests
Even
Gratitude
Long
Grateful
Engagements

More quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Image
A government held together by the bands of reason only, requires much compromise of opinion.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
It is a misnomer to call a government republican in which a branch of the supreme power is independent of the nation.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
A pirate spreading misery and ruin over the face of the ocean
Thomas Jefferson
Image
At the time we were funding our national debt, we heard much about a public debt being a public blessing that the stock representing it was a creation of active capital for the aliment of commerce, manufactures and agriculture. This paradox was well adapted to the minds of believers in dreams.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
How much pain they have cost us, the evils which have never happened.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
When you abandon freedom to achieve security, you lose both and deserve neither.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
An hereditary aristocracy... will change the form of our governments from the best to the worst in the world.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Neither believe nor reject any thing because any other person, or description of persons have rejected or believed it. Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
A superintending power to maintain the Universe in its course and order.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
When the heart is right, the feet are swift.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The variety of opinions leads to questions. Questions lead to truth.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The mass of our citizens may be divided into two classes -- the laboring and the learned. The laboring will need the first grade of education to qualify them for their pursuits and duties the learned will need it as a foundation for further acquirements.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
A Nation's best defense is an educated citizenry
Thomas Jefferson
Image
It is proof of sincerity, which I value above all things as, between those who practice it, falsehood and malice work their efforts in vain.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Every generation needs a new revolution.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Religion is a subject on which I have ever been most scrupulously reserved. I have considered it as a matter between every man and his Maker, in which no other, and far less the public, had a right to intermeddle.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
If the body be feeble, the mind will not be strong.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
If by religion we are to understand sectarian dogmas, in which no two of them agree, then your exclamation on that hypothesis is just, that this would be the best of worlds if there were no religion in it.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The people of every country are the only safe guardians of their own rights, and are the only instruments which can be used for their destruction. And certainly they would never consent to be so used were they not deceived. To avoid this they should be instructed to a certain degree.
Thomas Jefferson