Notes on the State of Virginia Quotes

“Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:truthignorancewrong

“It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:truthgovernment

“But the British parliament fixes its own quorum: our former assemblies fixed their own quorum: and one precedent in favour of power is stronger than an hundred against it.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:power

“The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:freedomreligiongovernmentspeech

“And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath?”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:God

“They have made the happy discovery, that the way to silence religious disputes, is to take no notice of them.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:religionsilence

“Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor morum over each other.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:religiondifferenceopinion

“I doubt whether the people of this country would suffer an execution for heresy, or a three years imprisonment for not comprehending the mysteries of the Trinity.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:religion

“Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:reason

“Was the government to prescribe to us our medicine and diet, our bodies would be in such keeping as our souls are now.”

― Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia

topic:government