Ran across this tonight: These quotes are mostly attributed to Thomas Jefferson, a man deeply distrustful of strong government — and with good reason. His words are worth consideration for every generation.
“When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.”
“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.”
“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”
“No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.”
“The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.”
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”
“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
Maybe one of his most important quotes is:
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.” (in 1802)
Finally:
“It has been said the greatest volume of sheer brainpower in one place occurred when Jefferson dined alone…” John Kennedy
“If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed.” Mark Twain
And one more that Debra Medina posted:
“The strength of the Constitution lies entirely in the determination of each citizen to defend it. Only if every single citizen feels duty bound to do his share in this defense are the constitutional rights secure.” – Albert Einstein
I’ve been saving this one for a while with the intent of posting:
When the people fear the government, there is ternary, when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson
