It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.
Thomas Jefferson
Debt, Responsibility, Generational Equity, Peace, Governance
Thomas Jefferson’s Quotes On Topics
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More Thomas Jefferson Quotes
“The mass of our citizens may be divided into two classes – the laboring and the learned. The laboring will need the first grade of education to qualify them for their pursuits and duties; the learned will need it as a foundation for further acquirements.” Thomas Jefferson
Education, Society, Class, Knowledge, Social Structure
Thomas Jefferson Education, Society, Class, Knowledge, Social Structure“History has informed us that bodies of men as well as individuals are susceptible of the spirit of tyranny.” Thomas Jefferson
Tyranny, History, Society, Human Nature, Power Dynamics
Thomas Jefferson Tyranny, History, Society, Human Nature, Power Dynamics“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
Government, Experimentation, Honesty, Political Philosophy, Change
Thomas Jefferson Government, Experimentation, Honesty, Political Philosophy, Change“Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” Thomas Jefferson
Identity, Action, Personal Growth, Self-discovery, Motivation
Thomas Jefferson Identity, Action, Personal Growth, Self-discovery, Motivation“The greatest calamity which could befall us would be submission to a government of unlimited powers.” Thomas Jefferson
Government, Power, Liberty, Political Caution, Civil Rights
Thomas Jefferson Government, Power, Liberty, Political Caution, Civil Rights“In every country and every age, the priest had been hostile to Liberty.” Thomas Jefferson
Religion, Liberty, History, Authority, Critique
Thomas Jefferson Religion, Liberty, History, Authority, Critique“To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.” Thomas Jefferson
Independence, Debt, Economy, Liberty, Political Philosophy
Thomas Jefferson Independence, Debt, Economy, Liberty, Political Philosophy“There is not a sprig of grass that shoots uninteresting to me.” Thomas Jefferson
Nature, Interest, Observation, Learning, Appreciation
Thomas Jefferson Nature, Interest, Observation, Learning, Appreciation“The second office in the government is honorable and easy; the first is but a splendid misery.” Thomas Jefferson
Leadership, Responsibility, Power, Political Office, Public Service
Thomas Jefferson Leadership, Responsibility, Power, Political Office, Public Service“The tax which will be paid for the purpose of education is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.” Thomas Jefferson
Education, Taxation, Ignorance, Society, Social Justice
Thomas Jefferson Education, Taxation, Ignorance, Society, Social Justice“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. Already they have raised up a moneyed aristocracy that has set the Government at defiance. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people to whom it properly belongs.” Thomas Jefferson
Banking, Liberty, Power, Economic Policy, Financial Reform
Thomas Jefferson Banking, Liberty, Power, Economic Policy, Financial Reform“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” Thomas Jefferson
Communication, Clarity, Talent, Writing, Efficiency
Thomas Jefferson Communication, Clarity, Talent, Writing, Efficiency“What justice would there be to take this life? Justice, gentlemen? Why, I would just as soon put a hog in the electric chair as this.” Thomas Jefferson
Justice, Life, Ethics, Morality, Critique
Thomas Jefferson Justice, Life, Ethics, Morality, Critique“I view great cities as pestilential to the morals, the health, and the liberties of man.” Thomas Jefferson
Cities, Morality, Health, Liberty, Critique
Thomas Jefferson Cities, Morality, Health, Liberty, Critique“Never was so much false arithmetic employed on any subject, as that which has been employed to persuade nations that it is in their interest to go to war.” Thomas Jefferson
War, Persuasion, Fallacy, Politics, Social Commentary
Thomas Jefferson War, Persuasion, Fallacy, Politics, Social Commentary“Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?” Thomas Jefferson
Friendship, Misfortune, Solidarity, Relationships, Human Nature
Thomas Jefferson Friendship, Misfortune, Solidarity, Relationships, Human Nature“We have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.” Thomas Jefferson
Justice, Self-preservation, Dilemma, Moral Conflict, Political Challenge
Thomas Jefferson Justice, Self-preservation, Dilemma, Moral Conflict, Political Challenge“All through your life, you’ll be faced with making a decision between two things—choose the one that is right. If they are both right, then choose the one that will make you feel the best about it at the end of the day.” Thomas Jefferson
Decision-making, Morality, Integrity, Values, Reflection
Thomas Jefferson Decision-making, Morality, Integrity, Values, Reflection“A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.” Thomas Jefferson
Government, Freedom, Labor, Frugality, Political Philosophy
Thomas Jefferson Government, Freedom, Labor, Frugality, Political Philosophy