Thomas Jefferson

I have done for my country, and for all mankind, all that I could do, and I now resign my soul, without fear, to my God - my daughter to my country.

The constitutions of most of our States assert, that all power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by themselves, in all cases to which they think themselves competent, or they may act by representatives, freely and equally chosen; that it is their right and duty to be at all times armed; that they are entitled to freedom of person, freedom of religion, freedom of property, and freedom of the press.

All power is inherent in the people.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

The opinions and beliefs of men follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds.

Religions are all alike- founded upon fables and mythologies.

Rebellion to tyranny is obedience to God.

Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same. One will always lead to the other.

not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of . . . but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.

We believe no more in Bonaparte's fighting merely for the liberties of the seas than in Great Britain's fighting for the liberties of mankind. The object is the same, to draw to themselves the power, the wealth and the resources of other nations.

If once the people become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress and Assemblies, Judges and Governors, shall all become wolves. It seems to be the law of our general nature, in spite of individual exceptions.

Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.

The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.

Every State has a natural right in cases not within the compact (casus non faederis) to nullify of their own authority all assumptions of power by others within their limits. Without this right, they would be under the dominion, absolute and unlimited, of whosoever might exercise this right of judgment for them.

The only greater [evil] than separation... [is] living under a government of discretion.

A democratic society depends upon an informed and educated citizenry.

That one hundred and fifty lawyers should do business together ought not to be expected.

Hemp is one of the greatest, most important substances of our nation

A free government is of all others the most energetic.

Free men do not ask permission to bear arms

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.