More Quotes by Thomas Jefferson
The issue today is the same as it has been throughout all history, whether man shall be allowed to govern himself or be ruled by a small elite.
A true patriot will defend his country from its government.
When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty.
There is no justification for taking away individuals' freedom in the guise of public safety.
A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.
The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart.
To consider judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions is a very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy.
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends [life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
I think myself that we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases. The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.
It is the old practice of despots to use a part of the people to keep the rest in order.
