Thomas Jefferson

“So confident am I in the intentions, as well as wisdom, of the government, that I shall always be satisfied that what is not done, either cannot, or ought not to be done.”

“Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

“The republican is the only form of government which is not eternally at open or secret war with the rights of mankind.”

“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.”

“I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.”

“But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.”

“One man with courage is a majority.”

“I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations which dare already to challenge our government to a trial by strength, and bid defiance to the laws of our country.”

“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”

“One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them.”

“If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.”

“Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear.”

“Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.”

“It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.”

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

“It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness.”

“Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?”

“In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue.”

“Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with their own government.”

“I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.”

“Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.”