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Quote by Thomas Jefferson

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The writings of Thomas Jefferson: being his autobiography, correspondence, reports, messages, addresses, and other writings, official and private

This volume gathers the diverse literary output of Thomas Jefferson, one of America's founding fathers and a pivotal figure in the nation's early history. The collection encompasses his autobiographical writings, offering insight into his personal life and self-reflection. It includes his extensive correspondence with contemporaries, revealing his thoughts on politics, philosophy, science, and everyday matters. Official documents such as presidential messages and addresses are presented alongside private letters, providing a complete picture of Jefferson's roles as statesman, diplomat, and intellectual. The compilation reflects his wide-ranging interests in government, architecture, education, agriculture, and natural philosophy. This collected edition serves as a valuable resource for understanding the mind of one of America's most influential founders and the era in which he lived. more

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Thomas Jefferson
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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“In every free and deliberating society, there must, from the nature of man, be opposite parties, and violent dissensions and discords; and one of these, for the most part, must prevail over the other for a longer or shorter time.”

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Book:Memoirs, correspondence and private papers of Thomas Jefferson, ed. by T.J. Randolph
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“Men by their constitutions are naturally divided into two parties: 1. Those who fear and distrust the people, and wish to draw all powers from them into the hands of the higher classes. 2. Those who identify themselves with the people, have confidence in them, cherish and consider them as the most honest and safe, although not the most wise depositary of the public interests. In every country these two parties exist, and in every one where they are free to think, speak, and write, they will declare themselves.”

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Book:The writings of Thomas Jefferson
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“The division into whig and tory is founded in the nature of men; the weakly and nerveless, the rich and the corrupt, seeing more safety and accessibility in a strong executive; the healthy, firm, and virtuous, feeling confidence in their physical and moral resources, and willing to part with only so much power as is necessary for their good government; and, therefore, to retain the rest in the hands of the many, the division will substantially be into Whig and Tory.”

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Book:Jefferson: Political Writings
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“To me... it appears that there have been differences of opinion and party differences, from the first establishment of government to the present day, and on the same question which now divides our own country; that these will continue through all future time; that every one takes his side in favor of the many, or of the few, according to his constitution, and the circumstances in which he is placed.”

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Book:Memoirs, 4: Correspondence and Private Papers
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“Men of energy of character must have enemies; because there are two sides to every question, and taking one with decision, and acting on it with effect, those who take the other will of course be hostile in proportion as they feel that effect.”

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Book:Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies from the papers of T. Jefferson
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