Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, was a man of many talents. He was a philosopher, statesman, lawyer, architect, inventor, and author, among other things. Jefferson played a significant role in the development of the United States, and his contributions to politics, science, and education have left a lasting impact on the world. Here are twenty of his best quotes that continue to inspire us today:
- “I cannot live without books.”
- “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”
- “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.”
- “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
- “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.”
- “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”
- “I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.”
- “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.”
- “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”
- “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
- “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”
- “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.”
- “I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
- “The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little.”
- “When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty.”
- “The most fortunate of us, in our journey through life, frequently meet with calamities and misfortunes which may greatly afflict us; and, to fortify our minds against the attacks of these calamities and misfortunes, should be one of the principal studies and endeavours of our lives.”
- “The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.”
- “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.”
- “Every generation needs a new revolution.”
- “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people… They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”
These quotes demonstrate Jefferson’s views on education, freedom, democracy, and human nature. They also showcase his sharp wit and his ability to express complex ideas in simple and eloquent language. Thomas Jefferson’s legacy continues to inspire us today, and these quotes are a testament to his enduring influence.
Photo by Laura Nyhuis on Unsplash
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