If we are to guard against ignorance and remain free, it is the responsibility of every American to be informed.
Thomas JeffersonI feel... an ardent desire to see knowledge so disseminated through the mass of mankind that it may, at length, reach even the extremes of society: beggars and kings.
Thomas JeffersonIn Europe the object is to make the most of their land, labour being abundant: here it is to make the most of our labour, land being abundant.
Thomas JeffersonThe time to guard against corruption and tyranny is before they shall have gotten hold of us.
Thomas JeffersonIf we believe that he [Jesus Christ]really countenanced the follies, the falsehoods, and the charlatanisms, which his biographers [writers of the New Testament]father upon him, and admit the misconstructions, interpolations, and theorizations of the fathers of the early and the fanatics of the latter ages, the conclusion would be irresistible by every sound mind that he was an impostor.
Thomas JeffersonThe future inhabitants of [both] the Atlantic and Mississippi states will be our sons. We think we see their happiness in their union, and we wish it. Events may prove otherwise; and if they see their interest in separating why should we take sides? God bless them both, and keep them in union if it be for their good, but separate them if it be better.
Thomas Jefferson