Thomas Jefferson a man for our time
Growing up I listened to my father, a self-taught man, speak of the great Roman and Greek philosophers and their insights into the human condition. I did not fully appreciate his guidance nor the applicability of the theses until later in life when investigating Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Thucydides, Marcus Aurelius, and Epictetus. As a student, I was astonished by the fact so much sound reasoning and study had taken place almost two millennium ago.
Fast forward to the late 1700s, early 1800s and examine some of Thomas Jefferson’s views of his world and the United States. Was Thomas Jefferson a version of Nostradamus? I think not; he was educated, experienced and per Malcom Gladwell had a “Blink” skill of how premises support a conclusion.
Several of Thomas Jefferson’s quotes follow.
Which ones can you relate to or have relevance to the present environment? Maybe you have one that is not listed.
"Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle." - Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell, June 11, 1807
"I, however, place economy among the first and most important republican virtues, and public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared." - Thomas Jefferson to William Plumer, July 21, 1816
“I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.” – Thomas Jefferson
“I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.” – Thomas Jefferson
“On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock.” – Thomas Jefferson
“The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.” – Thomas Jefferson
“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.” – Thomas Jefferson
"When government fears the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." – Thomas Jefferson
#thomasjefferson #philosophy #thinkers #history #leadership
CEO at Adjutant MTC
3 年Hey Mike - Here's a strange one for you, but there's a book I gave as a present recently, that I think you might like... Worth reading the review of it (I think in the Spectator, but not sure), called "Bread Winner: An Intimate History of the Victorian Economy." I gave it to my mother, and in doing so learned all sorts of things about my grandparents and great grandparents, and the cultured and erudite people they were, despite grinding poverty...