Tag Archives: Thomas Jefferson

First Principles: Tyranny Over Man’s Mind Is Unacceptable

“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” – Thomas Jefferson (1800)      

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Laws Are Made For Men of Ordinary Understanding

“Laws are made for men of ordinary understanding and should, therefore, be construed by the ordinary rules of common sense. Their meaning is not to be sought for in metaphysical subtleties which may make anything mean everything or nothing at … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: The Same Prudence Should Be Practiced In the Spending of Private and Public Funds

“The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public moneys.”  – Thomas Jefferson (1808)          

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Certain Amount of Resisting Government Should Be Kept Alive

“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive.”  – Thomas Jefferson (1787)        

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Aim Toward Your Honest Duty In Governance

“It behooves you, therefore, to think and act for yourself and your people. The great principles of right and wrong are legible to every reader; to pursue them requires not the aid of many counselors. The whole art of government … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Man Without Reason Is Like A Ship Without A Rudder

“Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind.” — Thomas Jefferson (1822)        

Posted in First Principles, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: A Nation Should Use the Same Prudence In Finances As An Individual Would Use

“The same prudence which in private life would forbid our paying our own money for unexplained projects, forbids it in the dispensation of the public moneys.” —Thomas Jefferson (1808)      

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

First Principles: Better to Give Up Everything Than Embrace Dishonor Or Immorality

“Give up money, give up fame, give up science, give the earth itself and all it contains rather than do an immoral act. And never suppose that in any possible situation, or under any circumstances, it is best for you … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Experiments In Government Should Be Based On Honesty

“This I hope will be the age of experiments in government, and that their basis will be founded in principles of honesty, not of mere force.” — Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, 1796 What it should never be besides … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

First Principles: Never Be Idle

“Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.”  – Thomas Jefferson, letter to Martha … Continue reading

Posted in First Principles | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment