"Cultivators of the earth are the most virtuous and independent citizens."
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Thomas Jefferson quotes (page 43 of 91)
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"In America, no other distinction between man and man had ever been known but that of persons in office exercising powers by authority of the laws, and private individuals. Among these last, the poorest laborer stood on equal ground with the wealthiest millionaire, and generally on a more favored one whenever their rights seem to jar."
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"Having seen the people of all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars and prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, and riddance of public debt, believing that these were the high road to public as well as private prosperity and happiness."
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"The government created by this compact was not made the exclusive or final judge of the extent of the powers delegated to itself; since that would have made its discretion, and not the Constitution, the measure of its powers."
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"In a republican nation whose citizens are to be led by reason and persuasion and not by force, the art of reasoning becomes of first importance."
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"Every one must act according to the dictates of his own reason, and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given to the President of the United States, and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents."
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"Politics is such a torment that I advise everyone I love not to mix with it."
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"I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind."
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"Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains, rather than do an immoral act."
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"Be polite to all, but intimate with few."
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"I never before knew the full value of trees....What would I not give that the trees planted nearest round the house at Monticello were full grown."
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"I think all the world would gain by setting commerce at perfect liberty."
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"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."
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"If ever we are constrained to lift the hatchet against any tribe, we will never lay it down till that tribe is exterminated, or driven beyond the Mississippi... in war, they will kill some of us; we shall destroy them all."
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"The Declaration of Independence . . . [is the] declaratory charter of our rights, and the rights of man."
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"Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you to do a dishonorable thing, however slightly so it may appear to you."
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"One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more."
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"Our attachment to no nation on earth should supplant our attachment to liberty."
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"I agree with you that it is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities, which occur to him, for preserving documents relating to the history of our country."
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"The selfish spirit of commerce, which knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain."
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