Quote

The only orthodox object of the institution of government is to secure the greatest degree of happiness possible to the general mass of those associated under it.

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
Mass
Associated
General
Institution
Objects
Orthodox
Greatest
Degree
Possible
Secure
Politics
Object
Happiness
Degrees
Government
Institutions

More quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Image
My principles, and those always received by the republicans, do not admit to removing any person from office merely for a difference of political opinion. Malversations in office, and the exerting of official influence to control the freedom of election are good causes for removal.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The late rebellion in Massachusetts has given more alarm than I think it should have done. Calculate that one rebellion in thirteen states in the course of eleven years, is but one for each state in a century and a half. No country should be so long without one. Nor will any degree of power in the hands of government prevent insurrections.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science by rendering them my supreme delight.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The Bible makes the best people in the world.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The mobs of great cities add just so much to the support of pure government as sores do to the strength of the human body.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
To be really useful, we must keep pace with the state of society, and not dishearten it by attempts at what its population, means, or occupations will fail in attempting.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Scenes are now to take place as will open the eyes of credulity and of insanity itself, to the dangers of a paper medium abandoned to the discretion of avarice and of swindlers.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
My only fear is that I may live too long. This would be a subject of dread to me.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruption's of time and party, its members would become despots.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
As government grows, freedom recedes.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
I join you therefore in branding as cowardly the idea that the human mind is incapable of further advances.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
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
Image
I value peace, and I should unwillingly see any event take place which would render war a necessary resource.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
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.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
When tempted to do any thing in secret, ask yourself if you would do it in public.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
The general (federal) government will tend to monarchy, which will fortify itself from day to day, instead of working its own cures.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
This formidable censor of the public functionaries [the press], by arraigning them at the tribunal of public opinion, produces reform peaceably, which must otherwise be done by revolution. It is also the best instrument for enlightening the mind of man and improving him as a rational, moral, and social being.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism. Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
Excessive taxation . . . will carry reason & reflection to every man's door, and particularly in the hour of election.
Thomas Jefferson
Image
His [Calvin's] religion was demonism. If ever man worshiped a false God, he did. The being described in his five points is ... a demon of malignant spirit. It would be more pardonable to believe in no God at all, than to blaspheme him by the atrocious attributes of Calvin
Thomas Jefferson