Thomas Jefferson Quotes about Honesty

An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.

An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.

Leadership, Honesty, Exercise

Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies: From the Papers of Thomas Jefferson”, p.185

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.

Art, Honesty, Government

Thomas Jefferson (1853). “The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private”, p.141

I have not observed mens honesty to increase with their riches.

Thomas Jefferson

Trust, Money, Honesty

Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.26, Modern Library

Honesty is the first chapter in the Book of wisdom. Let it be our endeavor to merit the character of a just nation.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Book, Character

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Thomas Jefferson

Peace, Honesty, War

First Inaugural Address, 4 Mar. 1801

The commotions that have taken place in America, as far as they are yet known to me, offer nothing threatening. They are a proof that the people have liberty enough, and I could not wish them less than they have. If the happiness of the mass of the people 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. 'Malo libertatem periculosam quam quietem servitutem.' Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Taken, Blood

Thomas Jefferson (1861). “Correspondence”, p.77

There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world.

Thomas Jefferson

Truth, Honesty, Fear

Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence and Papers, 1816-1826”, p.474, Cosimo, Inc.

What is it men cannot be made to believe!

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Integrity, Believe

Thomas Jefferson (1853). “The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private : published by the order of the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library, from the original manuscripts, deposited in the Department of State”, p.541

With your talents and industry, with science, and that steadfast honesty which eternally pursues right, regardless of consequences, you may promise yourself every thing-but health, without which there is no happiness. An attention to health then should take place of evey other object. The time necessary to secure this by active exercises, should be devoted to it in preference to every other pursuit.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Health, Exercise

This I hope will be the age of experiments in government, and that their basis will be founded in principles of honesty, not of mere force.

Thomas Jefferson

Peace, Honesty, War

Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1793-1798”, p.219, Cosimo, Inc.

Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Rights, Play

Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.23, Modern Library

Every honest man will suppose honest acts to flow from honest principles, and the rogues may rail without intermission.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Men, Principles

Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.53, Modern Library

Of the various executive abilities, no one excited more anxious concern than that of placing the interests of our fellow-citizens in the hands of honest men, with understanding sufficient for their stations. No duty is at the same time more difficult to fulfil. The knowledge of character possessed by a single individual is of necessity limited. To seek out the best through the whole Union, we must resort to the information which from the best of men, acting disinterestedly and with the purest motives, is sometimes incorrect.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Character, Men

Letter to Elias Shipman and Merchants of New Haven, July 12, 1801.

Inspirational Quotes on: Honesty, Simplicity, Secret, Universe, Modesty, Peace Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Book, Simplicity

Honesty and interest are as intimately connected in the public as in the private code of morality.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Morality, Interest

Thomas Jefferson, J. Jefferson Looney (2004). “The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: 1 October 1814 to 31 August 1815”, p.541, Princeton University Press

A lively and lasting sense of filial duty is more effectually impressed on the mind of a son or daughter by reading King Lear, than by all the dry volumes of ethics, and divinity that ever were written.

Thomas Jefferson

Daughter, Kings, Honesty

Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.234, Cambridge University Press

I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Giving, Politics

Thomas Jefferson (1855). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretary of state”, p.342

[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Government, House

Thomas Jefferson, Richard Holland Johnston, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association of the United States “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”

Men are disposed to live honestly, if the means of doing so are open to them.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Mean, Men

Thomas Jefferson (1984). “Jefferson: Writings”, p.1886, Library of America

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.

Thomas Jefferson

Confidence, Honesty, Good Nature

Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.7, Modern Library

I believe we may lessen the danger of buying and selling votes, by making the number of voters too great for any means of purchase. I may further say that I have not observed men's honesty to increase with their riches.

Thomas Jefferson

Honesty, Believe, Mean

Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.171, Cambridge University Press