Thomas Jefferson

I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.

The earth belongs in usufruct to the living; that the dead have neither power nor rights over it.

Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is so certainly written in the book of fate as that these people are to be free.

Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.

The most sacred of the duties of government [is] to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.

Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations—entangling alliances with none.

The only security of all is in a free press.

Laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.

But it is not by the consolidation, or concentration of powers, but by their distribution, that good government is effected.

I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and Constitutions. But laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind.

The most sacred of the duties of government, is to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens.

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.

Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.

The greatest danger to American freedom is a government that ignores the Constitution.

The best government is that which governs least.

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

The mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready to ride them legitimately, by the grace of God.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.

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