Thomas Jefferson on Independence Day
1743–1826 United States
← All quotes by Thomas Jefferson
28 quotes
If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be. The functionaries of every government have propensities to command at will the liberty and property of their constituents. There is no safe deposit for these but with the people themselves; nor can they be safe with them without information. Where the press is free, and every man able to read, all is safe.
Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law" because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.
The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.
Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.
Misattributed
A society that will trade a little liberty for a little order will lose both, and deserve neither.
Misattributed
There is no justification for taking away individuals' freedom in the guise of public safety.
Misattributed
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.
Misattributed
When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny.
Misattributed