Great quotes of Thomas Jefferon

“Laws that forbid the carrying of arms… disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes… Such laws make things worse for the assaulted and better for the assailants…” — Thomas Jefferson in “Commonplace Book,” 1774-1776

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson

Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have ... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.

"When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads." - Congressman Ron Paul M.D. (not Jefferson but close enough - and its funny)

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
Thomas Jefferson

He who knows best knows how little he knows.
Thomas Jefferson

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

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

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

Information is the currency of democracy.
Thomas Jefferson

Each of these quotes could start a thread of their own for discussion. BT or anyone else, if you find a particular quote that you agree with or disagree with, go ahead and start a thread regarding the particular quote.

'Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not.' ~ Thomas Jefferson

"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government"
-- Thomas Jefferson, 1 Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334

"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical"

Interesting website here:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/j/jefferson-quotes.htm

The Jeffersonian Cyclopedia

Check it out.

False is the idea of utility that sacrifices a thousand real advantages for one imaginary or trifling inconvenience; that would take fire from men because it burns, and water because one may drown in it; that has no remedy for evils except destruction. The laws that forbid the carrying of arms are laws of such a nature. They disarm only those who are neither inclined nor determined to commit crimes.
-- Cesare Beccaria, as quoted by Thomas Jefferson's Commonplace book