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Confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism. Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence.

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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I have nothing but contempt for anyone who can spell a word in only one way.
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I endeavor to keep their attention fixed on the main objects of all science, the freedom & happiness of man.
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Religions are all the same...Based upon legends and fantasies
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We are here lounging our time away, doing nothing, and having nothing to do. It gives me great regret to be passing my time so uselessly when it could have been so importantly employed at home.
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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.
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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.
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Dependence leads to subservience.
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We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.
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The best defense of democracy is an informed electorate.
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The Christian religion is the best religion that has ever been given to man
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Truth between candid minds can never do harm.
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[T]o preserve the republican form and principles of our Constitution and cleave to the salutary distribution of powers which that [the Constitution] has established . . . are the two sheet anchors of our Union. If driven from either, we shall be in danger of foundering.
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The oppressed should rebel, and they will continue to rebel and raise disturbance until their civil rights are fully restored to them and all partial distinctions, exlusions, and incapacitations are removed.
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I could think of no worse example for nations abroad, who for the first time were trying to put free electoral procedures into effect, than that of the United States wrangling over the results of our presidential election, and even suggesting that the presidency itself could be stolen by thievery at the ballot box.
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If the happiness of the mass of mankind can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase.
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Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.
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The sun has not caught me in bed in fifty years.
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I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old.
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