The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.

Thomas Jefferson

Read this letter at the National Archives website

More information about this quote

Topic

Purpose of government Political theory

Author

Thomas Jefferson

Source

Letters of Thomas Jefferson

Medium

Open letter Letter

Language

English

Time

1809 1800s 19th century

Occupation

Founding Father American President National leader Politician

From

United States

Authentication Score 3

Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to the Republican Citizens of Washington County, Maryland. 31 Mar. 1809.

Illustrated Quote

A quote by Thomas Jefferson about purpose of government: “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction…”
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A quote by Thomas Jefferson about purpose of government: “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction…”
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A quote by Thomas Jefferson about purpose of government: “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction…”
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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

The boisterous sea of liberty indeed is never without a wave.

Thomas Jefferson

More information about this quote
Topic
Freedom as disruptive force Nature of freedom Freedom

Author

Thomas Jefferson
Medium
Letter
Genre
Political writing
Statement Type
Metaphor, analogy and simile
Language
English
Time
1820 1820s 19th century
Authentication Score 3
Citation

Jefferson, Thomas. Letter to Marquis de Lafayette. 26 Dec. 1820.

Another quote from the 1800s

To govern is to choose.

Pierre-Marc-Gaston de Lévis

More information about this quote
Topic
Political leadership Politics

Author

Pierre-Marc-Gaston de Lévis
Language
French
Time
1808 1800s 19th century
Authentication Score 1
Citation

Levis, Pierre Marc Gaston. "Maximes de Politique." Maximes et reflexions sur differents sujets. Paris, 1808, no. 19.

Another quote about Political theory

It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? If men were angels, no government would be necessary.

James Madison

Federalist 51

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Read Federalist No. 51 at the Library of Congress website
More information about this quote
Topic
Political theory Politics Government Human nature

Author

James Madison
Source
Federalist 51 The Federalist Papers
Medium
Essay
Genre
Political literature
Language
English
Time
1788 1780s 18th century
Era
American Revolutionary Period
Authentication Score 2
Original Citation

Madison, James [published as Publius]. "Federalist No. 51, The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." New York Packet, 8 Feb. 1788.

Current Citation

Madison, James. "No. 51: How to maintain: make the parts check each other. Also, a federal system divides power further.--Madison (or Hamilton)." The Federalist: A Commentary on the Constitution of the United States, edited by Robert Scigliano. The Modern Library, 2001.