Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, was not only a statesman but also a profound thinker whose words continue to inspire generations. His reflections on liberty, knowledge, perseverance, and character offer powerful motivation for personal growth and civic responsibility. This article presents 129 motivational quotes from Jefferson, carefully selected to encourage action, integrity, and resilience. These quotes serve as a beacon for anyone seeking clarity, courage, and purpose in their lives.
129 Thomas Jefferson Motivational Quotes That Still Slap Today
1. “I cannot live without books. ”
2. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you. ”
3. “I predict future happiness for Americans, if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. ”
4. “Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom. ”
5. “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. ”
6. “The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers. ”
7. “I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it. ”
8. “On matters of style, swim with the current; on matters of principle, stand like a rock. ”
9. “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. ”
10. “Power is not alluring to pure minds. ”
11. “Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong. ”
12. “I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led. ”
13. “Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far. ”
14. “It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness. ”
15. “Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. ”
16. “Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail. ”
17. “Don’t talk about what you have done or what you are going to do. ”
18. “It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong. ”
19. “Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. ”
20. “When angry count ten before you speak; if very angry, count to one hundred. ”
21. “Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us. ”
22. “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal. ”
23. “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done. ”
24. “I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another. ”
25. “Be polite to all, but intimate with few. ”
26. “Science is my passion; politics, my duty. ”
27. “My principle is to do whatever is right, and leave consequences to him who has the disposal of them. ”
28. “All should be laid open to you without reserve, for there is not a truth existing which I fear. ”
29. “Good wine is a necessity of life for me. ”
30. “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, religion, or philosophy as cause for withdrawing from a friend. ”
31. “To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. ”
32. “The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government. ”
33. “History, in general, only informs us what bad government is. ”
34. “God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men. ”
35. “Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching. ”
36. “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. ”
37. “Never spend your money before you have earned it. ”
38. “Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. ”
39. “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be. ”
40. “He who knows best knows how little he knows. ”
41. “I agree with you that it is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities for preserving documents relating to the history of our country. ”
42. “My god! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of. ”
43. “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it. ”
44. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act!”
45. “We confide in our strength, without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. ”
46. “Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail. ”
47. “My theory has always been, that if we are to dream, the flatteries of hope are as cheap, and pleasanter, than the gloom of despair. ”
48. “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done. ”
49. “I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies. ”
50. “The principle of spending money to be paid by posterity is but swindling futurity on a large scale. ”
51. “The greatest service which can be rendered any country is to add a useful plant to its culture. ”
52. “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government. ”
53. “The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. ”
54. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. ”
55. “The most sacred of the duties of a government is to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens. ”
56. “The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government. ”
57. “There is no substitute for hard work. ”
58. “Those who labor in the earth are the chosen people of God. ”
59. “To take from one, because it is thought his own industry and that of his fathers has acquired too much, in order to spare to others, who, or whose fathers, have not exercised equal industry and skill, is to violate arbitrarily the first principle of association. ”
60. “Truth is great, and will prevail if left to herself. ”
61. “We in America do not have government by the majority, but government by the majority who participate. ”
62. “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ”
63. “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom. ”
64. “Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need. ”
65. “You educate a man; you educate a man. You educate a woman; you educate a generation. ”
66. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude. ”
67. “A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue. ”
68. “A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another. ”
69. “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. ”
70. “An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy. ”
71. “Be always sure you are right; then go ahead. ”
72. “Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it. ”
73. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ”
74. “Every generation needs a new revolution. ”
75. “Fear is the foundation of most governments. ”
76. “God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time. ”
77. “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. ”
78. “I never considered a difference of opinion in politics as cause for withdrawing from a friend. ”
79. “I think we are on the verge of a new era. ”
80. “If you want to be happy, be. ”
81. “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. ”
82. “It is error alone which needs the support of government. ”
83. “Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals. ”
84. “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. ”
85. “Man is by nature a social animal. ”
86. “Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. ”
87. “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press. ”
88. “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none. ”
89. “The earth belongs to the living. ”
90. “The happiest people are those who do the most for others. ”
91. “The care of human life and happiness is the first and only legitimate object of good government. ”
92. “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground. ”
93. “The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. ”
94. “The truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light. ”
95. “To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. ”
96. “To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. ”
97. “To succeed, we must first believe that we can. ”
98. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. ”
99. “We in America do not have government by the majority, but government by the majority who participate. ”
100. “When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, an hundred. ”
101. “Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom. ”
102. “Work saves us from three great evils: boredom, vice, and need. ”
103. “You must never consider the size of an obstacle. ”
104. “Your success will be determined by your own confidence and fortitude. ”
105. “A little flattery will support a man through great fatigue. ”
106. “All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. ”
107. “An informed citizenry is at the heart of a dynamic democracy. ”
108. “Be always sure you are right; then go ahead. ”
109. “Do not bite at the bait of pleasure till you know there is no hook beneath it. ”
110. “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. ”
111. “Every generation needs a new revolution. ”
112. “Fear is the foundation of most governments. ”
113. “God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time. ”
114. “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. ”
115. “If you want to be happy, be. ”
116. “It is error alone which needs the support of government. ”
117. “Laws made by common consent must not be trampled on by individuals. ”
118. “Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth. ”
119. “Man is by nature a social animal. ”
120. “Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. ”
121. “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press. ”
122. “Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none. ”
123. “The earth belongs to the living. ”
124. “The happiest people are those who do the most for others. ”
125. “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground. ”
126. “The truth will ultimately prevail where there is pains to bring it to light. ”
127. “To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. ”
128. “To succeed, we must first believe that we can. ”
129. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. ”
Conclusion
Thomas Jefferson’s motivational quotes reflect a profound commitment to truth, liberty, education, and personal responsibility. His words encourage us to act decisively, maintain integrity, and pursue knowledge relentlessly. From urging us to “act” rather than merely question our identity, to emphasizing honesty as the foundation of wisdom, Jefferson’s insights remain relevant and empowering. These 129 quotes serve as a timeless guide to living a purposeful life, inspiring individuals to contribute meaningfully to society while nurturing their own character and intellect.
This collection of Jefferson’s motivational quotes is a treasure trove for anyone seeking inspiration from one of America’s greatest thinkers. Let these words fuel your ambition, strengthen your resolve, and guide your actions every day.
