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Quote by Thomas Jefferson

“I advance with obedience to the work, ready to retire from it whenever you become sensible how much better choice it is in your power to make.”

Quote by Thomas Jefferson

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson

Work

The writings of Thomas Jefferson

This extensive compilation includes Jefferson's correspondence, his influential essays on topics such as democracy and individual rights, and his personal reflections on the founding of the United States. The writings provide insight into Jefferson's role in shaping American history and his contributions to the nation's political discourse. more

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, a distinguished politician, philosopher, architect, and scientist. He was born on April 13, 1743, and died on July 4, 1826. Jefferson advocated for democracy and freedom in politics and was one of the main authors of the Declaration of Independence. His political ideas had a profound impact on the founding and development of the United States. more

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“I am already sensible of decay in the power of walking, and find my memory not so faithful as it used to be. This may be partly owing to the incessant current of new matter flowing constantly through it; but I ascribe to years their share in it also.”

Years May Matter Used Memories Share Walking Currents Used To Be Faithful Sensible Decay Owing Incessant

Book:The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence

Source: The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence

“I feel a much greater interest in knowing what has passed two or three thousand years ago, than in what is now passing. I read nothing, therefore, but of the heroes of Troy, ... of Pompey and Caesar, and of Augustus too.”

Feels Years Two Three Interest Knowing Greater Hero Thousand Years Ago Passing Passings Thousand Years Augustus Pompey

Book:Selected letters of Thomas Jefferson

Source: Selected letters of Thomas Jefferson

“I have given up newspapers in exchange for Tacitus and Thucydides, for Newton and Euclid; and I find myself much the happier.”

Given Newspapers Given Up Newton Euclid

Book:Jefferson: Political Writings

Source: Jefferson: Political Writings

“I have learnt to expect that it will rarely fall to the lot of imperfect man to retire from this station with the reputation and the favor which bring him into it.”

Men Fall Favors Reputation Stations Retiring Imperfect Perfect Man Imperfect Man

Book:The Essential Jefferson

Source: The Essential Jefferson

“I have much confidence that we shall proceed successfully for ages to come. My hope of its duration is built much on the enlargement of the resources of life going hand in hand with the enlargement of territory.”

Hands Age Resources Built Territory Hand In Hand Duration Enlargement

Book:Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretarry of state

Source: Correspondence. Reports and opinions while secretarry of state

“I shall often go wrong through defect of judgment. When right, I shall often be thought wrong by those whose positions will not command a view of the whole ground. I ask your indulgence for my own errors, which will never be intentional, and your support against the errors of others, who may condemn what they would not if seen in all its parts.”

Ifs May Whole Asks My Own Views Support Position Judgment Errors Command Defects Indulgence Often Is

Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson

Source: The writings of Thomas Jefferson

“If our legislature does not heartily push our University [of Virginia] we must send our children for education to Kentucky [Transylvania College] or Cambridge [Harvard College]. The latter will return them to us as fanatics and tories, the former will keep them to add to their population.”

Ifs Children Doe College Return Our Children Add University Population Former Latter Fanatics Harvard Legislature Virginia Kentucky Cambridge Transylvania

Author:Thomas Jefferson

“In our own native land, in defense of the freedom that is our birthright and which we ever enjoyed till the late violation of it. For the protection of our property, acquired solely by the honest industry of our fore-fathers and ourselves, against violence actually offered, we have taken up arms. We shall lay them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of the aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed shall be removed, and not before.”

Source: Jefferson: Political Writings

“In the middle ages of Christianity opposition to the State opinions was hushed. The consequence was, Christianity became loaded with all the Romish follies. Nothing but free argument, raillery & even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.”

States Age Christianity Opinion Middle Consequence Argument Preserves Purity Folly Opposition Ridicule Middle Ages Loaded

Book:The Life and Writings of ...

Source: The Life and Writings of ...

“It is proof of sincerity, which I value above all things; as, between those who practice it, falsehood and malice work their efforts in vain.”

Values Effort Practice All Things Proof Vain Sincerity Falsehood Malice

Book:Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution

Source: Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution