Thomas Jefferson

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.

I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another.

The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.

I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

When a man assumes a public trust he should consider himself a public property.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Truth is certainly a branch of morality and a very important one to society.

I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.

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

It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read.

Power is not alluring to pure minds.

Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence.

The constitutions of most of our States assert that all power is inherent in the people that... it is their right and duty to be at all times armed.

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.

Peace and abstinence from European interferences are our objects, and so will continue while the present order of things in America remain uninterrupted.

A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.