2,194 Quotes by Thomas Jefferson

An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.

It is not the policy of the government in America to give aid to works of any kind. They let things take their natural course without help or impediment, which is generally the best policy.

It is left... to the juries, if they think the permanent judges are under any bias whatever in any cause, to take on themselves to judge the law as well as the fact. They never exercise this power but when they suspect partiality in the judges; and by the exercise of this power they have been the firmest bulwarks of English liberty.

With all the imperfections of our present government, it is without comparison the best existing, or that ever did exist.

When we see ourselves in a situation which must be endured and gone through, it is best to make up our minds to it, meet it with firmness, and accommodate everything to it in the best way practicable. This lessens the evil; while fretting and fuming only serves to increase your own torments.

Evil triumphs when good men do nothing.

Never fear the want of business. A man who qualifies himself well for his calling, never fails of employment.

Those are governed best who are governed least.

I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.