Tag Archives: Thomas Jefferson

First Principles: The General Spread of the Light of Science Has Laid Open…That the Mass of Mankind Has Not Been Born With Saddles On Their Backs

“All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles … Continue reading

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First Principles: I Think We Have More Machinery of Government Than Is Necessary, Too Many Parasites Living On the Labor of the Industrious

“I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious.” – Thomas Jefferson (1824)

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First Principles: In Questions of Power, Then, Let No More Be Heard of Confidence In Man, But Bind Him Down From Mischief By the Chains of the Constitution

“In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.” – Thomas Jefferson (1798)

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First Principles: If We Can Prevent the Government From Wasting the Labors of the People, Under the Pretence of Taking Care of Them, They Must Become Happy

“If we can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.” – Thomas Jefferson (1802)

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First Principles: There Is No Justification For Taking Away Individuals’ Freedom In the Guise of Public Safety

“There is no justification for taking away individuals’ freedom in the guise of public safety.” – Thomas Jefferson

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First Principles: A Morsel of Genuine History Is A Thing So Rare As To Be Always Valuable

“A morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable.” – Thomas Jefferson (1817)

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First Principles: The Spirit of Resistance To Government Is So Valuable On Certain Occasions, That I Wish It To Be Always Kept Alive

“The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like … Continue reading

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First Principles: Man, Once Surrendering His Reason, Has No Remaining Guard Against Absurdities…and Like A Ship Without Rudder, Is the Sport of Every Wind

“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) Doesn’t this sound like the response to Covid in all … Continue reading

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First Principles: The General Spread of the Light of Science Has Already Laid Open To Every View the Palpable Truth, That the Mass of Mankind Has Not Been Born With Saddles On Their Backs

“The general spread of the light of science has already laid open to every view the palpable truth, that the mass of mankind has not been born with saddles on their backs, nor a favored few booted and spurred, ready … Continue reading

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First Principles: I Know No Safe Depository of the Ultimate Power of the Society But the People Themselves

“I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the 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 … Continue reading

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