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Quotes of the Day for 13 April 2005 - Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was born at Shadwell, among the hills of Virginia, on this day in 1743. By far my favorite among the founding fathers, he is also one of my favorite authors of quotes. I normally don't repeat a theme from one year to the next, but on this date I must. For the fifth year in a row, today's quotes are from Jefferson.

A republic will avoid war unless the avoidance might create conditions that are worse than warfare itself. Sometimes, the dispositions of those who choose to make themselves our enemies leaves us no choice.

A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own persuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned. This is the sum of good government.

I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers.... We must make our choice between economy and liberty, or profusion and servitude.

If we were directed from Washington when to sow and when to reap, we would soon want bread.

Our fellow-citizens think they have a right to full information, in a case of such great concernment to them. It is their sweat which is to earn all the expenses of the war, and their blood which is to flow in expiation of the causes of it.

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket, nor breaks my leg.
     - All from Thomas Jefferson, 1743 - 1826

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