- Dec 28, 2021

Words of Jefferson

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

"Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct."

"I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them."

"That to secure these Rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed, and that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it."

"Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the law,' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual."

"I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."

“I am for relying, for internal defence, on our militia solely, till actual invasion, and for such a naval force only as may protect our coasts and harbors from such depredations as we have experienced; and not for a standing army in time of peace, which may overawe the public sentiment; nor for a navy, which, by its own expenses and the eternal wars in which it will implicate us, grind us with public burthens, and sink us under them.”

“I am for free commerce with all nations, political connection with none, and little or no diplomatic establishment.”