If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

Thomas Jefferson

Read this letter at the National Archives website

More information about this quote

Topic

Informed citizenry Ignorance

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Source

Letters of Thomas Jefferson

Medium

Letter

Language

English

Time

1816 1810s 19th century

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey. 6 Jan. 1816.

Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "Colonel Charles Yancey, Jan. 6, 1816." The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson, edited by Adrienne Koch and William Peden. Modern Library Classics, 1998.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Thomas Jefferson about informed citizenry: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of…”
Download
A quote by Thomas Jefferson about informed citizenry: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of…”
Download
A quote by Thomas Jefferson about informed citizenry: “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of…”
Download

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

Speeches measured by the hour, die with the hour.

Thomas Jefferson

More information about this quote
Topic
Talking too much

Author

Thomas Jefferson
Medium
Letter
Genre
Political writing
Language
English
Time
1824 1820s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Original Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to David Harding. 20 Apr. 1824.

Current Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. "Mr. David Harding, President of the Jefferson Debating Society of Hingham, April 20, 1824." 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 1810s

When one subtracts from life infancy (which is vegetation),—sleep, eating, and swilling—buttoning and unbuttoning—how much remains of downright existence? The summer of a dormouse.

Lord Byron

More information about this quote
Topic
Nature of life

Author

Lord Byron
Medium
Personal journal
Language
English
Time
1813 1810s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Lord Byron. Journal entry. 7 Dec. 1813.