Thomas Jefferson Quotes About Observation

• Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern which have come under my observation, none appears to me so pure as that of Jesus....I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Christian, Jesus, Real

• I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms are in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people, which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions, as not to discourage them too much. It is medicine necessary for the sound health of government.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Rights, Government, Punishment

  Letter to James Madison, 30 Jan. 1787

• Reading, reflection and time have convinced me that the interests of society require the observation of those moral precepts only in which all religions agree.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Reading, Reflection, Religion

  Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.281, Cambridge University Press

• It is an encouraging observation that no good measure was ever proposed which, if duly pursued, failed to prevail in the end.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Ends, Observation, Pursued

  Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence and Papers, 1808-1816”, p.419, Cosimo, Inc.

• Reading, reflection and time have convinced me that the interests of society require the observation of those moral precepts only in which all religions agree (for all forbid us to steal, murder, plunder, or bear false witness), and that we should not intermeddle with the particular dogmas in which all religions differ, and which are totally unconnected with morality.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Reading, Reflection, Bears

  Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.281, Cambridge University Press

• You have lived longer than I have and perhaps may have formed a different judgment on better grounds; but my observations do not enable me to say I think integrity the characteristic of wealth. In general I believe the decisions of the people, in a body, will be more honest and more disinterested than those of wealthy men.

  Thomas Jefferson

  Integrity, Believe, Men

  Thomas Jefferson (1977). “The Portable Thomas Jefferson”, p.278, Penguin

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