Quotes from Thomas Jefferson

No one has a right to obstruct another exercising his faculties innocently for the relief of sensibilities made a part of his nature.

The sickly, weakly, timid man fears the people, and is a Tory by nature. The healthy, strong and bold cherishes them, and is formed a Whig by nature.

Honesty, disinterestedness and good nature are indispensable to procure the esteem and confidence of those with whom we live, and on whose esteem our happiness depends.

A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles.

To every obstacle oppose patience, perseverance and soothing language.

If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest.

Lethargy is the forerunner of death to the public liberty.

My affections were first for my own country, then, generally, for all mankind

Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.

It should be our endeavor to cultivate the peace and friendship of every nation, even of that which has injured us most.

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. Enable them to see that it is their interest to preserve peace and order, and they will preserve them.

Trial by jury is part of the bright constellation which leads to peace, liberty and safety.

The spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force.

We did not raise armies for glory or for conquest.

The advocate of religious freedom is to expect neither peace nor forgiveness from [the clergy].

Not for ourselves alone, but for all humanity... Let us hasten to find the path that leads to liberty, safety, and peace for everyone.

By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy.

Peace is our passion.

If anything pass in a religious meeting seditiously and contrary to the public peace, let it be punished in the same manner and no otherwise than as if it had happened in a fair or market.

There is nothing more unequal than the equal treatment of unequal people.

I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared

As you are entered with the class of Nat. philosophy, give to it the hours of lecture, but devote all your other time to Mathematics, avoiding company as the bane of all progress.

I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.