2,194 Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

The parties of Whig and Tory are those of nature. They exist in all countries, whether called by these names or by those of Aristocrats and Democrats, Cote Droite and Cote Gauche, Ultras and Radicals, Serviles and Liberals. The sickly, weakly, timid man fears the people, and is a Tory by nature. The healthy, strong and bold cherishes them, and is formed a Whig by nature.

The ocean ... like the air, is the common birth-right of mankind.

The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture. --The Fruit Hunters

To preserve the freedom of the human mind then and freedom of the press, every spirit should be ready to devote itself to martyrdom; for as long as we may think as we will, and speak as we think, the condition of man will proceed in improvement

Every honest man will suppose honest acts to flow from honest principles, and the rogues may rail without intermission.

Those who sacrifice freedom for safety deserve neither.

No one, I hope, can doubt my wish to see... all mankind exercising self-government, and capable of exercising it. But the question is not what we wish, but what is practicable.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.

The present generation has the same right of self-government which the past one has exercised for itself.