Quotes from Thomas Jefferson

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

The happiness of the domestic fireside is the first boon of Heaven; and it is well it is so, since it is that which is the lot of the mass of mankind.

Should things go wrong at any time, the people will set them to rights by the peaceable exercise of their elective rights.

The man who stops advertising to save money is like the man who stops the clock to save time.

[F]alsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all its good dispositions.

... the common law existed while the Anglo-Saxons were yet pagans, at a time when they had never yet heard the name of Christ pronounced or knew that such a character existed.

life is of no value but as it brings gratifications. among the most valuable of these is rational society. it informs the mind, sweetens the temper, chears our spirits, and promotes health.

The bulk of mankind are schoolboys through life.

I would observe to you that what is called style in writing or speaking is formed very early in life while the imagination is warm, and impressions are permanent.

I sincerely pray that all the members of the human family may, in the time prescribed by the Father of us all, find themselves securely established in the enjoyment of life, liberty, and happiness.

Everyone has a natural right to choose that vocation in life which he thinks most likely gives him comfortable subsistence.

We are here lounging our time away, doing nothing, and having nothing to do. It gives me great regret to be passing my time so uselessly when it could have been so importantly employed at home.

The constitution has erected no such single tribunal, knowing that to whatever hands confided, with the corruption's of time and party, its members would become despots.

It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united.

Agriculture is at the same time the most tranquil, healthy, and independent occupation.

We are sensible of the duty and expediency of submitting our opinions to the will of the majority, and can wait with patience till they get right if they happen to be at any time wrong.

My confidence is that there will for a long time be virtue and good sense enough in our countrymen to correct abuses.

The time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us.

Peace, that glorious moment in time when everyone stops and reloads.

Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.

When habit has strengthened our sense of duties, they leave us no time for other things; but when young we neglect them and this gives us time for anything.

I served with General Washington in die Legislature of Virginia...and...with Doctor Franklin in Congress. I never heard neither of them speak ten minutes at a time, nor to any but the main point.

The reward of esteem, respect and gratitude [is] due to those who devote their time and efforts to render the youths of every successive age fit governors for the next.

It is surely time for men to think for themselves, and to throw off the authority of names so artificially magnified.