Thomas Jefferson

Nothing more than education advances the prosperity, the power, and the happiness of a nation.

I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness.

We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.

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

Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.

Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.

Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations.

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.

I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.

Our country is now taking so steady a course as to show by what road it will pass to destruction, to wit: by consolidation of power first, and then corruption, its necessary consequence.

I abhor war and view it as the greatest scourge of mankind.

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.

Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.

A Bill of Rights is what the people are entitled to against every government, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inference.

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.