Thomas Jefferson Quotes

How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.

No government can continue good but under the control of the people.

I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.

The basis of our government (is) is opinion of the people.

The animosities of soverigns are temporary, and may be allayed; but those which sieze the whole body of people, and of a people too, dictate their own measures, produce calamities of long duration.

The good sense of the people will always be found to be the best army.

Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. Enable them to see that it is to their interest to preserve peace and order. . . They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government.

Believing that happiness of mankind is best promoted by the useful pursuits of peace, that on these alone a stable prosperity can be founded, that the evils of war are great in their endurance, and have a long reckoning for ages to come, I have used my best endeavors to keep our country uncommitted in […]

Peace with all nations, and the rights which that gives us with respect to all nations, are our object.