I know 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.

Thomas Jefferson

Read this letter at the National Archives website

More information about this quote

Topic

Informed citizenry Political theory

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Source

Letters of Thomas Jefferson

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1820 1820s 19th century

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to William Charles Jarvis. 28 Sept. 1820.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Thomas Jefferson about informed citizenry: “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but…”
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A quote by Thomas Jefferson about informed citizenry: “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but…”
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A quote by Thomas Jefferson about informed citizenry: “I know no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but…”
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Related Quotes

Below are one or more quotes that share at least one tag with the quote at the top of the page

Another quote by Thomas Jefferson

I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.

Thomas Jefferson

More information about this quote
Topic
Opposition to tyranny

Author

Thomas Jefferson
Medium
Letter
Language
English
Time
1800 1800s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush. 23 Sept. 1800.

Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "Dr. Benjamin Rush, Sept. 23, 1800." The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Including the Autobiography, The Declaration of Independence & His Public and Private Letters, edited by Adrienne Koch and William Peden. Modern Library, 1998.

Another quote from the 1820s

Facts are the mere dross of history. It is from the abstract truth which interpenetrates them, and lies latent among them, like gold in the ore, that the mass derives its whole value: and the precious particles are generally combined with the baser in such a manner that the separation is a task of the utmost difficulty.

Thomas Babington Macaulay

More information about this quote
Topic
Facts

Author

Thomas Babington Macaulay
Source
History Edinburgh Review
Medium
Essay
Language
English
Time
1828 1820s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Macaulay, Thomas Babington. "History." Edinburgh Review, May 1828.

Another quote about Political theory

Every revolutionary ends by becoming either an oppressor or a heretic.

Albert Camus

The Rebel

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More information about this quote
Topic
Revolutionaries Revolution Political theory Politics

Author

Albert Camus
Source
The Rebel
Medium
Essay
Genre
Philosophical literature Political literature
Language
French
Time
1951 1950s 20th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Camus, Albert. L'Homme Revolte [The Rebel]. Gallimard, 1951.