Most people know about Thomas Jefferson as one of the founding fathers of the United States, but not many know about his wise words and quotes.
His thoughts on everything from politics to leadership are still relevant today, and offer an interesting perspective on history.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of Jefferson’s most famous quotes, and explore what they mean for us today. Enjoy!
Thomas Jefferson Quotes 2023
1. “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” — Thomas Jefferson
2. “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” — Thomas Jefferson
3. “Dispositions of the mind, like limbs of the body, acquire strength by exercise.” — Thomas Jefferson
4. “If I am to meet with a disappointment, the sooner I know it, the more of life I shall have to wear it off.” — Thomas Jefferson
5. “It is error alone which needs the support of the government. Truth can stand by itself.” — Thomas Jefferson
7. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” — Thomas Jefferson
8. “The policy of the American government is to leave its citizens free, neither restraining them nor aiding them in their pursuits.” — Thomas Jefferson
9. “Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.” — Thomas Jefferson
10. “The art of life is the art of avoiding pain; and he is the best pilot, who steers clearest of the rocks and shoals with which it is beset.” — Thomas Jefferson
11. “When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.” — Thomas Jefferson
12. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” — Thomas Jefferson
13. “Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves are its only safe depositories.” — Thomas Jefferson
14. “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” — Thomas Jefferson
15. “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” — Thomas Jefferson
16. “Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.” — Thomas Jefferson
17. “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” — Thomas Jefferson
18. “Too old to plant trees for my own gratification, I shall do it for my posterity.” — Thomas Jefferson
19. “Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.” — Thomas Jefferson
20. “Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.” — Thomas Jefferson
21. “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” — Thomas Jefferson
22. “I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man’s milk and restorative cordial.” — Thomas Jefferson
23. “Whiskey claims to itself alone the exclusive office of sot-making.” — Thomas Jefferson
24. “A great deal of love given to a few is better than a little too many.” — Thomas Jefferson
25. “Never spend your money before you have it.” — Thomas Jefferson
26. “Good wine is a necessity of life for me.” — Thomas Jefferson
27. “I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.” — Thomas Jefferson
28. “I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.” — Thomas Jefferson
29. “Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, till you know there is no hook beneath it.” — Thomas Jefferson
30. “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” — Thomas Jefferson
31. “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of the body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” — Thomas Jefferson
32. “He who permits himself to tell a lie once finds it much easier to do it the second time.” — Thomas Jefferson
33. “It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.” — Thomas Jefferson
34. “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” — Thomas Jefferson
35. “Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst, and cold.” — Thomas Jefferson
36. “An enemy generally says and believes what he wishes.” — Thomas Jefferson
37. “I cannot live without books.” — Thomas Jefferson
38. “Experience demands that man is the only animal which devours his own kind, for I can apply no milder term to the general prey of the rich on the poor.” — Thomas Jefferson
39. “He who knows best knows how little he knows.” — Thomas Jefferson
40. “I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” — Thomas Jefferson
41. “Don’t talk about what you have done or what you are going to do.” — Thomas Jefferson
42. “I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.” — Thomas Jefferson
43. “Never spend your money before you have earned it.” — Thomas Jefferson
44. “The glow of one warm thought is to be worth more than money.” — Thomas Jefferson
45. “It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” — Thomas Jefferson
46. “We confide in our strength, without boasting of it, we respect that of others, without fearing it.” — Thomas Jefferson
47. “The most truthful part of a newspaper is the advertisements.” — Thomas Jefferson
48. “I find friendship to be like wine, raw when new, ripened with age, the true old man’s milk, and restorative cordial.” — Thomas Jefferson
49. “Let us in education dream of an aristocracy of achievement arising out of a democracy of opportunity.” — Thomas Jefferson
50. “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.” — Thomas Jefferson
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Conclusion: Thomas Jefferson Quotes 2023
In conclusion, the wisdom of Thomas Jefferson is as relevant today as it ever was. His quotes are a reminder that we should all strive to be better people and that freedom is something to be cherished.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of his thoughts and that they will inspire you in your own life. What’s your favorite Thomas Jefferson quote?
