Quotes about Thomas Jefferson

The phrase 'separation of church and state,' which appears in no founding document (only in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson), means that America must never have a state religion, not that the state be indifferent to religion.

One of the greatest of liberals, Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the Democratic Party, once remarked: "A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned—this is the sum of good government.

Under the Constitution, our government follows the model set out by Thomas Jefferson: "A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.

For example, it is often said today that Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin were Deists. Yet, each man in a variety of contexts spoke earnestly of their conviction as Theists—that God was both approachable by man and that God played an ever-active role in the affairs of man.

It is not surprising, therefore, that Thomas Jefferson and his fellow founders would have referred four times in the Declaration of Independence to a Creator God of Providence.

It is a problem, not clear in my mind, that [a society without government, as among our Indians] is not the best. But I believe it to be inconsistent with any great degree of population.

I consider him [Alexander von Humboldt] the most important scientist whom I have met.

Neither Pagan nor Mahamedan nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion. -quoting John Locke's argument.

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor - over each other.

It is my disposition to maintain peace until its condition shall be made less tolerable than that of war itself.

The ordinary affairs of a nation offer little difficulty to a person of any experience.

The protection of our citizens, the spirit and honor of our country, require that force should be interposed to a certain degree.