Thomas Jefferson Quotes
Quote 1
I am persuaded myself that the good sense of the people will always be found to be the
best army. They may be led astray for a moment, but will soon correct themselves.
The people are the only censors of their governors: and even their errors will tend to
keep these to the true principles of their institution.
Excerpt of letter from TJ to Edward Carrington 1.16.1787
Quote 2
I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to
govern themselves without a master.
Excerpt of Letter from TJ to David Hartley, 7.2.1787
Quote 3
Experience hath shewn that even under the best forms of government, those entrusted
with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny; and it is
believed that the most effectual means of preventing this would be to illuminate, as far
as practicable, the minds of the people at large, and more especially to give them
knowledge of the history of other ages and countries, so they may be enabled to know
tyranny in all its shapes and be able to expert their natural powers to defeat its
purposes.
Excerpt from TJ’s “Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge”
Quote 4
Every species of government has its specific principles. Ours perhaps are more
peculiar than those of any other in the universe. It is a composition of the freest
principles of the English constitution, with others derived from natural right and reason.
To these nothing can be more opposed than the maxims of absolute monarchies.
Excerpt from TJ’s “Notes on the State of Virginia”
Project America ©2016 Educurious Partners. All rights reserved. www.educurious.org
Quote 5
I am for preserving to the states the powers not yielded by them to the union, and to the
legislature of the union, its constitutional share in the division of powers; and I am not
for transferring all the powers of the states to the general government and all those of
that government to the executive branch.
Excerpt from letter to Eldridge Gerry, 1799
Quote 6
I wish to see maintained that wholesome distribution of powers established by the
Constitution for the limitation of the General government and never to see all offices
transferred to Washington where, further withdrawn from the eyes of the people, they
may more secretly be bought and sold at market.
Excerpt from Letter to William Johnson 1823
Sources: tjrs.monticello.org
Project America ©2016 Educurious Partners. All rights reserved. www.educurious.org