2,194 Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

To every obstacle oppose patience, perseverance and soothing language.

I do not believe war the most certain means of enforcing principles. Those peaceable coercions which are in the power of every nation, if undertaken in concert and in time of peace, are more likely to produce the desired effect.

The lamp of war is kindled here, not to be extinguished but by torrents of blood.

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor - over each other.

If we believe that he (Jesus Christ) really countenanced the follies, the falsehoods, and the charlatanisms, which his biographers father upon him, and admit the misconstructions, interpolations, and theorizations of the fathers of the early and the

Required to be constantly recumbent I write slowly and with difficulty.... Weakened in body by infirmities and in mind by age, now far gone into my 83rd year, reading one newspaper only and forgetting immediately what I read.

Let what will be said or done, preserve your sang froid immovably, and to every obstacle oppose patience, perseverance and soothing language

We need a revolution every 20 years just to keep government honest.

Those characters wherein fear predominates over hope may apprehend too much from...instances of irregularity. They may conclude too hastily that nature has formed man insusceptible of any other government than that of force, a conclusion not founded in truth nor experience.