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We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

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

Never spend your money before you have earned it.

Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.

None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. To keep ours armed and disciplined is therefore at all times important.


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.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.


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.

When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.



Wise fellow, wouldn't you say?



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Jefferson was the Quote for Today on steroids.

For all his wealth, he died near bankrupt, because he could not control his book buying.

In reading the Complete Story of Civilization, I found there are from time to time men of extraordinary intelligence, and I believe Jefferson was one of those, not just of his time but in history. Very few like him!

"I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty."

Thomas Jefferson.

"the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots & tyrants. it is it’s natural manure."


Extract from Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith

He's one of a very few people I think of as a hero or an idol of any sort.

quote:

Originally posted by senza nome:
"I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty."

Thomas Jefferson.

Amen. Public service should not enrich men, or be exclusive to the rich. Sadly neither is true.

I wish public service meant what the name implies it means.

quote:

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.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.

smart guy

there's 575 people in DC that should have this tattooed on their foreheads

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by senza nome:
"I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty."

Thomas Jefferson.

Amen. Public service should not enrich men, or be exclusive to the rich. Sadly neither is true.

I wish public service meant what the name implies it means.

Preach it.

I've felt the same for years.

I wish I were of a better temperament for the job. Had I truly understood these things 30years ago I may have chosen to cultivate other skills and personality traits. It's shameful how poor a job most who go there end up doing. There are several members here I'd vote for in a second, if it ever came up. I wish more regular people ran and could compete, financially, but those stories are exceptionally rare and very difficult (see Appliance Brad).

One of my favorites from TJ...

A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen, but it is not the highest.

The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation.

To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property and all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means.

Here in Lynchburg is his summer home Poplar Forest. I take the girls once a year and golf there too. I purchased a nice plaque for my library:
"I cannot live without my books."

It hangs in my library. Also fun fact, on his tombstone at Monticello it does not say he was president. He intentionally left it off.

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Jefferson was the Quote for Today on steroids.

For all his wealth, he died near bankrupt, because he could not control his book buying.

Ain't no point in dying rich!

I have a new respect for this great man after reading "Undaunted Courage".

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:

quote:

Originally posted by JALLEN:
Jefferson was the Quote for Today on steroids.

For all his wealth, he died near bankrupt, because he could not control his book buying.

Ain't no point in dying rich!

I've never seen a "Whoever dies with the most books wins!" bumper sticker.

Jefferson sold a part of his library to the US after the Library of Congress was burned in the so-called War of 1812. That became the foundation of the replacement.

I bet he used the money to buy more books!

Anyone who hasn't visited Monticello should do so at least once in their lifetime. Jefferson took more of a personal interest in his lodgings than did most of his peers during that age. You almost expect to bump into him when you round a corner.

quote:

Originally posted by Skins2881:

quote:

Originally posted by senza nome:
"I have the consolation of having added nothing to my private fortune during my public service, and of retiring with hands clean as they are empty."

Thomas Jefferson.

Amen. Public service should not enrich men, or be exclusive to the rich. Sadly neither is true.

I wish public service meant what the name implies it means.

OTOH, someone who makes his own fortune is usually someone who knows how to get things done efficiently, effectively, not mere hopeless pie in the sky nonsense. Not always, of course.

Of course, there is always the consideration that we may not want efficiency in government.

Some of Trump's cabinet picks have made fortunes. Trump himself started with one, thanks to his dad.