21 November, 2008
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, the second Governor of Virginia and the 3rd President of the United States.
"Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one."
"We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
"In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty.
He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own."
"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between church and State."
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies."
"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive."
"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
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