I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical.
Thomas JeffersonI am convinced that those societies (such as the Native American peoples) which live without government enjoy in their general mass an infinitely greater degree of happiness than those who live under the European governments. Among the former, public opinion is in the place of law, & restrains morals as powerfully as laws ever did anywhere. Among the latter, under pretence of governing they have divided their nations into two classes, wolves & sheep. I do not exaggerate.
Thomas JeffersonMy principle is to do whatever is right, and leave consequences to him who has the disposal of them.
Thomas JeffersonI think our governments will remain virtuous for many centuries as long as they are chiefly agricultural; and this will be as long as there shall be vacant lands in any part of America. When they get piled upon one another in large cities as in Europe, they will become corrupt as in Europe.
Thomas Jefferson