As we celebrate our nation’s birthday, let the wisdom of these quotes from Thomas Jefferson ring with the truth that we all too often have forgotten. I don’t think these are taught in our schools’ history classes. “When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.”
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”
“It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” (Over 18 trillion and counting.)
“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.”
“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government comes from too much government.”
“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.” (Does anyone in Washington know this?)
“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.”
“I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will derive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.” (The Federal Reserve is not federal, but private.)
“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? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.”
These ideas helped make us great. By the grace of God, they can again.--Ben