"Free government is founded in jealousy, and..." - Quote by Thomas Jefferson
Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power.
More by Thomas Jefferson
“Most codes extend their definitions of treason to acts not really against one's country. They do not distinguish between acts against the government, and acts against the oppressions of the government. The latter are virtues, yet have furnished more victims to the executioner than the former. Real treasons are rare; oppressions frequent. The unsuccessful strugglers against tyranny have been the chief martyrs of treason laws in all countries.”
“Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.”
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse in any country. If it were, the laws would lose their effect, because it can always be pretended.”
More on Government
“I would rather have newspapers without a government than a government without newspapers.”
“To introduce a new play only six weeks after another has been banned is also a way to speak one's piece to the government. It proves that art and liberty can grow back in one night under the clumsy foot which crushes them.”
“So viewing the issue, no choice was left but to call out the war power of the Government; and so to resist force, employed for its destruction, by force, for its preservation.”
More on Skepticism
“If voting changed anything, it would be illegal.”
“If it's the Psychic Network why do they need a phone number?”
“The idea that the sole aim of punishment is to prevent crime is obviously grounded upon the theory that crime can be prevented, which is almost as dubious as the notion that poverty can be prevented.”