2,194 Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

Of all the cankers of human happiness none corrodes with so silent, yet so baneful an influence, as indolence.

Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.

Nature intended me for the tranquil pursuits of science by rendering them my supreme delight.

I shall need, too, the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our forefathers, as Israel of old.

There is not a single crowned head in Europe whose talents or merit would entitle him to be elected a vestryman by the people of any parish in America.

The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruption's of time and party, its members would become despots.

Being myself a warm zealot for the attainment & enjoiment by all mankind of as much liberty as each may exercise without injury to the equal liberty of his fellow citizens, I have lamented that in France the endeavors to obtain this should have been attended with the effusion of so much blood.

But with respect to future debt; would it not be wise and just for that nation to declare in the constitution they are forming that neither the legislature, nor the nation itself can validly contract more debt, than they may pay within their own age, or within the term of 19 years.

Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.