The true theory of our Constitution is surely the wisest and best, that the states are independent as to everything within themselves and united as to everything respecting foreign nations. Let the general government be reduced to foreign concerns only.
Thomas Jefferson
Constitution, States, Independence, Government, Political Philosophy
Thomas Jefferson’s Quotes On Topics
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More Thomas Jefferson Quotes
“The Creator has not thought proper to mark those in the forehead who are of stuff to make good generals. We are first, therefore, to seek them blindfold, and then let them learn the trade at the expense of great losses.” Thomas Jefferson
Leaders, Generals, Selection, Experience, Governance
Thomas Jefferson Leaders, Generals, Selection, Experience, Governance“Certainly one of the highest duties of the citizen is a scrupulous obedience to the laws of the nation. But it is not the highest duty.” Thomas Jefferson
Law, Duty, Citizenship, Morality, Civic Responsibility
Thomas Jefferson Law, Duty, Citizenship, Morality, Civic Responsibility“I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive.” Thomas Jefferson
Government, Energy, Control, Oppression, Philosophy
Thomas Jefferson Government, Energy, Control, Oppression, Philosophy“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous and they are tied to their country and wedded to its liberty and interests by the most lasting bands.” Thomas Jefferson
Farmers, Agriculture, Value, Citizenship, Virtue
Thomas Jefferson Farmers, Agriculture, Value, Citizenship, Virtue“It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.” Thomas Jefferson
Liberty, Conscience, Resistance, Human Rights, Social Responsibility
Thomas Jefferson Liberty, Conscience, Resistance, Human Rights, Social Responsibility“Men of quality are not threatened by women of equality.” Thomas Jefferson
Gender, Equality, Empowerment, Society, Feminism
Thomas Jefferson Gender, Equality, Empowerment, Society, Feminism“Nothing can stop the person with the right mental attitude from achieving their goal; nothing on earth can help the person with the wrong mental attitude.” Thomas Jefferson
Attitude, Success, Motivation, Mindset, Personal Development
Thomas Jefferson Attitude, Success, Motivation, Mindset, Personal Development“Eternal Vigilance is the price of democracy.” Thomas Jefferson
Vigilance, Democracy, Responsibility, Awareness, Civic Duty
Thomas Jefferson Vigilance, Democracy, Responsibility, Awareness, Civic Duty“The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.” Thomas Jefferson
Positivity, Thoughts, Value, Happiness, Well-being
Thomas Jefferson Positivity, Thoughts, Value, Happiness, Well-being“Our peculiar security is in the possession of a written Constitution. Let us not make it a blank paper by construction.” Thomas Jefferson
Constitution, Government, Rights, Legal Interpretation, Political Caution
Thomas Jefferson Constitution, Government, Rights, Legal Interpretation, Political Caution“All men are created equal and have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
Equality, Rights, Liberty, Life, Founding Principles
Thomas Jefferson Equality, Rights, Liberty, Life, Founding Principles“The good opinion of mankind, like the lever of Archimedes, with the given fulcrum, moves the world.” Thomas Jefferson
Opinion, Influence, Society, Change, Motivation
Thomas Jefferson Opinion, Influence, Society, Change, Motivation“It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.” Thomas Jefferson
War, Peace, Defense, National Security, Civic Duty
Thomas Jefferson War, Peace, Defense, National Security, Civic Duty“A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe, for felicity.” Thomas Jefferson
Happiness, Employment, Productivity, Mindset, Personal Fulfillment
Thomas Jefferson Happiness, Employment, Productivity, Mindset, Personal Fulfillment“When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to it, meet it with firmness, and accommodate everything to it in the best way practicable. This lessens the evil; while fretting and fuming only serves to increase your own torments.” Thomas Jefferson
Endurance, Firmness, Acceptance, Resilience, Mental Strength
Thomas Jefferson Endurance, Firmness, Acceptance, Resilience, Mental Strength“Above all things, lose no occasion of exercising your dispositions to be grateful, to be generous, to be charitable, to be humane, to be true, just, firm, orderly, courageous, etc. Consider every act of this kind as an exercise which will strengthen your moral faculties and increase your worth.” Thomas Jefferson
Virtue, Character, Morality, Personal Growth, Ethical Living
Thomas Jefferson Virtue, Character, Morality, Personal Growth, Ethical Living“Bind them down by the chains of the Constitution where they can do no mischief.” Thomas Jefferson
Constitution, Governance, Power, Restraint, Political Philosophy
Thomas Jefferson Constitution, Governance, Power, Restraint, Political Philosophy“The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people; that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.” Thomas Jefferson
Power, Rights, Governance, Constitution, Civic Duty
Thomas Jefferson Power, Rights, Governance, Constitution, Civic Duty