Remembering Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, among the hills of Virginia, on this day in 1743. A favorite amongst the founding fathers, he is also one of my favorite authors. Jefferson distinguished himself as a horticulturist, statesman, architect, archaeologist, paleontologist, author, and inventor, not to mention being the third President of the United States of America and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
I could easily fill this page and probably 10 others with quotes from Mr. Jefferson; however, here are some of my favorites:
“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.”
“Is it the less dishonest to do what is wrong, because not expressly prohibited by written law? Let us hope our moral principles are not yet in that stage of degeneracy.”
“My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair.”
“Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.”
“Those who would trade safety for freedom deserve neither.”
“The wise know too well their weakness to assume infallibility; and he who knows most, knows best how little he knows.”
And my all time favorite, which is often shortened, but in my opinion looses some of it’s meaning:
"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear.”
All from Thomas Jefferson, 1743 - 1826
If you do decide to comment, please add your favorite quote(s), and let’s see how many we can get.