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Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson Quotes

3rd U.S. President

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Famous Thomas Jefferson Quotes

“Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.... Do not be frightened from this inquiry from any fear of its consequences. If it ends in the belief that there is no God, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise.”

IfsFeelsEndsReasonBeliefExistenceLibertyVirtueExerciseComfortConsequenceFrightenedInquiryBoldnessIntriguingThere Is No GodHomageFounding Fathers ReligionFounding Fathers AtheistBlindfoldedIncitement
Author:Thomas Jefferson
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“When all government ...in little as in great things... shall be drawn to Washington as the center of all power; it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another, and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.”

LittlesGovernmentTruthPoliticsFreedomLibertyKnowledgeConstitutionLibertarianChecksGreat ThingsLibertarianismPowerlessFreedom And LibertyFreedom LibertyProperty RightsLimited GovernmentAmerican GovernmentLimiting GovernmentLimited FreedomGreat LibertarianLimiting FreedomConstitutional GovernmentTyranny Founding FathersPower GovernmentOppressive Governments
Book:The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, cont
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“The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”

DoeGovernmentReligionChurchReligiousLibertyBreakAtheismPicksTwentiesAtheistLegsLibertarianNeighborSeparationInjuryPocketsFoundersSecularChurch And StateFreedom And LibertySeparation Of Church And StateFreedom LibertyThere Is No GodOur Founding FathersReligious FreedomReligious BeliefFounding Fathers ChristianState GovernmentOrganized ReligionUs Founding FathersForefathersFounding Fathers ReligionSeparation Between Church And StateFounding Fathers ReligiousIf There Is A GodReligion GodReligious LibertyFounding Fathers Anti ReligionFounding Fathers Of AmericaFounding AmericaAmerican Founding FathersFounding Fathers AtheistDeismThere Being No GodChristian AtheistChristian FatherSeparation Of PowersReligion And GovernmentTheocracyChristian RightReligious TruthNon ReligiousChristian FreedomLegitimate GovernmentLegitimate PowerBreak A Leg
Author:Thomas Jefferson
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“for the present we may groupe the sciences into Professorships as follows, subject however to be changed according to the qualifications of the persons we may be able to engage.”

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Book:Early History of the University of Virginia: As Contained in the Letters of Thomas Jefferson and Joseph C. Cabell, Hitherto Unpublished; with an Appendix, Consisting of Mr. Jefferson's Bill for a Complete System of Education and Other Illustrative Documents; and an Introduction, Comprising a Brief Historical Sketch of the University, and a Biographical Notice of Joseph C. Cabell
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“A system of general instruction, which shall reach every description of our citizens, from the richest to the poorest, as it was the earliest, so will it be the latest, of all the public concerns in which I shall permit myself to take an interest.”

InterestEducationCitizensConcernEducationalDescriptionPermitInstructionPoorest
Book:Early History of the University of Virginia: As Contained in the Letters of Thomas Jefferson and Joseph C. Cabell, Hitherto Unpublished; with an Appendix, Consisting of Mr. Jefferson's Bill for a Complete System of Education and Other Illustrative Documents; and an Introduction, Comprising a Brief Historical Sketch of the University, and a Biographical Notice of Joseph C. Cabell
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“Female education ... has occupied my attention so far only as the education of my own daughters ... I thought it essential to give them a solid education which might enable them, when become mothers, to educate their own daughters, and even to direct the course for sons, should their fathers be.”

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Book:The Essential Jefferson
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“among the values of classical learning I estimate the Luxury of reading the Greek & Roman authors in all the beauties of their originals ... I think myself more indebted to my father for this, than for all the other luxuries his cares and affections have placed within my reach.”

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Book:The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, cont
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