Thomas Jefferson Quotes about Purpose

The chief purpose of government is to protect life. Abandon that and you have abandoned all.

The chief purpose of government is to protect life. Abandon that and you have abandoned all.

Government, Purpose, Abandoned

Our tenet ever was . . . that Congress had not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but were restrained to those specifically enumerated; and that, as it was never meant that they should provide for that welfare but by the exercise of the enumerated powers, so it could not have been meant they should raise money for purposes which the enumeration did not place under their action.

Thomas Jefferson

Exercise, Purpose, Action

Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence and Papers, 1816-1826”, p.72, Cosimo, Inc.

To lay taxes to provide for the general welfare of the United States, that is to say, 'to lay taxes for the purpose of providing for the general welfare.' For the laying of taxes is the power, and the general welfare the purpose for which the power is to be exercised. They are not to lay taxes ad libitum for any purpose they please; but only to pay the debts or provide for the welfare of the Union.

Thomas Jefferson

United States, Purpose, Taxation

Thomas Jefferson (1977). “The Portable Thomas Jefferson”, p.216, Penguin

I deem it the duty of every man to devote a certain portion of his income for charitable purposes; and that it is his further duty to see it so applied and to do the most good for which it is capable.

Thomas Jefferson

Men, Income, Purpose

Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.91, Modern Library

The provisions we have made [for our government] are such as please ourselves; they answer the substantial purposes of government and of justice, and other purposes than these should not be answered.

Thomas Jefferson

Government, Justice, Purpose

Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.

Thomas Jefferson

Mean, Defense, Purpose

Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.59, Modern Library