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Thomas Jefferson Quotes - Page 51

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Rejecting all organs of informationbut my senses, I rid myself of the Pyrrhonisms with which an indulgence in speculations hyperphysical and antiphysical so uselessly occupy and disquiet the mind.

Rejecting all organs of informationbut my senses, I rid myself of the Pyrrhonisms with which an indulgence in speculations hyperphysical and antiphysical so uselessly occupy and disquiet the mind.

Thomas Jefferson
Mind, Speculation, Indulgence

I am savage enough to prefer the woods, the wilds, and the independence of Monticello, to all the brilliant pleasures of this gaycapital [Paris].

Thomas Jefferson
Paris, Independence, Savages
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.63, Rowman & Littlefield

When we consider how much climate contributes to the happiness of our condition, by the fine sensation it excites, and the productions it is the parent of, we have reason to value highly the accident of birth in such a one as that of Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson
Virginia, Parent, Climate
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.126, Rowman & Littlefield

Congress has scarcely any thing to employ them, and complain that the place [Washington, D.C.] is remarkably dull.

Thomas Jefferson
Complaining, Dull, Congress

Our business is to have great credit and to use it little.

Thomas Jefferson
Use, Credit, Littles
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1789-1792”, p.89, Cosimo, Inc.

The cutting of heads is become so much a la mode, that one is apt to feel of a morning whether their own is on their shoulders.

Thomas Jefferson
Morning, Cutting, Shoulders
Thomas Jefferson, Maria Hadfield Cosway, John P. Kaminski (1999). “Jefferson in Love: The Love Letters Between Thomas Jefferson & Maria Cosway”, p.122, Rowman & Littlefield

Take painsto write a neat round, plain hand, and you will find it a great convenience through life to write a small and compact hand as well as a fair and legible one.

Thomas Jefferson
Writing, Hands, Convenience

Do not write me studied letters but ramble as you please.

Thomas Jefferson
Writing, Letters, Please

If your letters are as long as the bible, they will appear short to me. Only let them be brim full of affection.

Thomas Jefferson
Long, Letters, Affection
Thomas Jefferson (1830). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.55

While old men feel sensibly enough their own advance in years, they do not sufficiently recollect it in those whom they have seenyoung.

Thomas Jefferson
Men, Years, Enough
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.135, Cambridge University Press

When a uniform exercise of kindness to prisoners on our part has been returned by as uniform severity on the part of our enemies,you must excuse me for saying it is high time, by other lessons, to teach respect to the dictates of humanity; in such a case, retaliation becomes an act of benevolence.

Thomas Jefferson
Kindness, Exercise, Humanity
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution : Annotated Correspondence”, p.18, Algora Publishing

It is well known, that on the Ohio, and in many parts of America further north, tusks, grinders, and skeletons of unparalleled magnitude are found in great numbers, some lying on the surface of the earth, and some a little below it ... But to whatever animal we ascribe these remains, it is certain that such a one has existed in America, and that it has been the largest of all terrestrial beings.

Thomas Jefferson
Lying, Animal, Skeletons

The colleges of Edinburgh and Geneva as seminaries of science, are considered as the two eyes of Europe. While Great Britain and America give the preference to the former, all other countries give it to the latter.

Thomas Jefferson
Country, Eye, College
Thomas Jefferson (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”, p.109

A good cause is often injured more by ill-timed efforts of its friends than by the arguments of its enemies. Persuasion, perseverance and patience are the best advocates on questions depending on the will of others.

Thomas Jefferson
Perseverance, Effort, Enemy
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.311, Rowman & Littlefield

His system of morality was the most benevolent and sublime probably that has been ever taught, and consequently more perfect than those of any of the ancient philosophers... He was the most innocent, the most benevolent, the most eloquent and sublime character that ever has been exhibited to man.

Thomas Jefferson
Christian, Religious, Character
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.266, Cambridge University Press

Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God

Thomas Jefferson
Religious, Atheist, Faith Religion
Thomas Jefferson, John Dewey (2008). “The Essential Jefferson”, p.82, Courier Corporation

ONLY a government that is AFRAID of its citizens tries to control them.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Trying, Citizens

No society is so precious as that of one’s own family.

Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson (2006). “The Quotable Jefferson”

How soon the labor of men would make a paradise of the earth were it not for misgovernment and a diversion of his energies to selfish interests.

Thomas Jefferson
Selfish, Men, Energy

The benefit of even limited monopolies is too doubtful, to be opposed to that of their general suppression.

Thomas Jefferson
Benefits, Monopoly, Suppression
Thomas Jefferson (1830). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.344

May it be to the world... to assume the blessings and security of self-government.

Thomas Jefferson
Freedom, Blessing, Government
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, contin. Reports and opinions while Secretary of State”, p.450

Instead of that liberty which takes root and growth in the progress of reason, if recovered by mere force or accident, it becomes with an unprepared people a tyranny still of the many, the few, or the one.

Thomas Jefferson
Roots, People, Growth
Thomas Jefferson, J. Jefferson Looney (2004). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: 1 October 1814 to 31 August 1815”, p.262, Princeton University Press

Above all I hope that the education of the common people will be attended to so they won't forget the basic principles of freedom.

Thomas Jefferson
People, Principles, Common

I deny the power of the general government to making paper money, or anything else a legal tender.

Thomas Jefferson
Government, Paper, Deny

So much of the presidency is a matter of standing in the path of a Newsham Engine for Quenching Fires, opening one's mouth, and attempting to get a drink.

Thomas Jefferson
Fire, Mouths, Matter