Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the form of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

government self-government

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I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labour of the industrious.

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A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse, or rest on inferences

— Thomas Jefferson

The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.

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That government is best which governs least, because its people discipline themselves.

— Thomas Jefferson

History, in general, only informs us what bad government is.

— Thomas Jefferson

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