Thomas Jefferson Quotes
September 7, 2010
Man is an imitative animal. This quality is the germ of all education in him. From his cradle to his grave he is learning to do what he sees others do.
- Thomas Jefferson
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, depository of the public interests...In every country these two parties exist...The appellation of Aristocrats and Democrats is the true one expressing the essence of all.
- Thomas Jefferson
My principle is to do whatever is right, and leave consequences to him who has the disposal of them.
- Thomas Jefferson
Never buy what you do not want because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.
- Thomas Jefferson
Our difficulties are indeed great...but when viewed in comparison to those of Europe, they are the joys of paradise...Happily for us the Mammoth (Napoleon) cannot swim, nor the Leviathan (England) move on dry land; and if we will keep out of their way, they cannot get at us.
- Thomas Jefferson
He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine receives light without darkening me.
- Thomas Jefferson
I deem it the duty of every man to devote a certain portion of his income for charitable purposes; and that it is his further duty to see it so applied as to do the most good of which it is capable. This I believe to be best insured by keeping within the circle of his own inquiry and information the subjects of distress to whose relief his contributions should be applied.
- Thomas Jefferson
I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man's milk and restorative cordial.
- Thomas Jefferson
I have ever deemed it more honorable and more profitable, too, to set a good example than to follow a bad one.
- Thomas Jefferson
I profess...so much of the Roman principle as to deem it honorable for the general of yesterday to act as a corporal today, if his services can be useful to his country.
- Thomas Jefferson
