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The Quotable Jefferson
The most comprehensive book of quotations by the most quotable Founding Father
More than any other Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson made his reputation on the brilliance of his writing. John Adams chose the 33-year-old Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence largely because of his "masterly Pen." The genius of the Declaration and Jefferson's later writings amply confirmed Adams's judgment. Few writers have said so much on so many subjects—and said it so well—as Jefferson. The Quotable Jefferson—the most comprehensive and authoritative book of Jefferson quotations ever published—demonstrates that as does no other book.
Drawing primarily on The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, published by Princeton University Press, John Kaminski has carefully collected and cleverly arranged Jefferson's pronouncements on almost 500 subjects, ranging from the profound and public—the Constitution—to the personal and peculiar—cold water bathing.
The Quotable Jefferson is the first book to put Jefferson's words in context with a substantial introduction, a chronology of Jefferson's life, the source of each quotation, an appendix identifying Jefferson's correspondents, and a comprehensive index. The main section of Jefferson quotations, which are arranged alphabetically by topic, is followed by three other fascinating sections of Jefferson on his contemporaries, his contemporaries on him, and Jefferson on himself.
This book will delight the casual reader and browser, but it is also a serious and carefully edited reference work. Whatever the subject, if Jefferson said something memorable about it, you are likely to find it here.
More than any other Founding Father, Thomas Jefferson made his reputation on the brilliance of his writing. John Adams chose the 33-year-old Jefferson to draft the Declaration of Independence largely because of his "masterly Pen." The genius of the Declaration and Jefferson's later writings amply confirmed Adams's judgment. Few writers have said so much on so many subjects—and said it so well—as Jefferson. The Quotable Jefferson—the most comprehensive and authoritative book of Jefferson quotations ever published—demonstrates that as does no other book.
Drawing primarily on The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, published by Princeton University Press, John Kaminski has carefully collected and cleverly arranged Jefferson's pronouncements on almost 500 subjects, ranging from the profound and public—the Constitution—to the personal and peculiar—cold water bathing.
The Quotable Jefferson is the first book to put Jefferson's words in context with a substantial introduction, a chronology of Jefferson's life, the source of each quotation, an appendix identifying Jefferson's correspondents, and a comprehensive index. The main section of Jefferson quotations, which are arranged alphabetically by topic, is followed by three other fascinating sections of Jefferson on his contemporaries, his contemporaries on him, and Jefferson on himself.
This book will delight the casual reader and browser, but it is also a serious and carefully edited reference work. Whatever the subject, if Jefferson said something memorable about it, you are likely to find it here.
624 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2006
About the author
Thomas Jefferson
1,748 books714 followersThomas Jefferson was an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Following the American Revolutionary War and prior to becoming president in 1801, Jefferson was the nation's first U.S. secretary of state under George Washington and then the nation's second vice president under John Adams. Jefferson was a leading proponent of democracy, republicanism, and individual rights, and produced formative documents and decisions at the state, national, and international levels. His writings and advocacy for human rights, including freedom of thought, speech, and religion, served as substantial inspirations to the American Revolution and subsequent Revolutionary War in which the Thirteen Colonies succeeded in breaking from British America and establishing the United States as a sovereign nation.
During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term.
As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies, promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size, and was able to reduce military forces and expenditures following successful negotiations with France. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition; they give radically differing interpretations of his views on and relationship with slavery.
Jefferson is ranked by both scholars and in public opinion among the upper-tier of American presidents.
During the American Revolution, Jefferson represented Virginia at the Second Continental Congress and served as the second governor of Virginia from 1779 to 1781. In 1785, Congress appointed Jefferson U.S. minister to France, where he served from 1785 to 1789. President Washington then appointed Jefferson the nation's first secretary of state, where he served from 1790 to 1793. During this time, in the early 1790s, Jefferson and James Madison organized the Democratic-Republican Party to oppose the Federalist Party during the formation of the nation's First Party System. Jefferson and Federalist John Adams became both friends and political rivals. In the 1796 U.S. presidential election between the two, Jefferson came in second, which made him Adams' vice president under the electoral laws of the time. Four years later, in the 1800 presidential election, Jefferson again challenged Adams, and won the presidency. In 1804, Jefferson was reelected overwhelmingly to a second term.
As president, Jefferson assertively defended the nation's shipping and trade interests against Barbary pirates and aggressive British trade policies, promoted a western expansionist policy with the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the nation's geographic size, and was able to reduce military forces and expenditures following successful negotiations with France. In his second presidential term, Jefferson was beset by difficulties at home, including the trial of his former vice president Aaron Burr. In 1807, Jefferson implemented the Embargo Act to defend the nation's industries from British threats to U.S. shipping, limiting foreign trade and stimulating the birth of the American manufacturing industry. Presidential scholars and historians praise Jefferson's public achievements, including his advocacy of religious freedom and tolerance, his peaceful acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from France, and his leadership in supporting the Lewis and Clark Expedition; they give radically differing interpretations of his views on and relationship with slavery.
Jefferson is ranked by both scholars and in public opinion among the upper-tier of American presidents.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 30, 2020
“The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties.”
“Quotations of Thomas Jefferson” is just that, a short anthology of aphorisms. It is a nice thing to serve as an introduction, but it is not to be substituted for actually reading Jefferson’s writings. These quotes are isolated from context, and thus can easily be misconstrued from original intent. Still, some of this stuff is pretty brilliant and/or profound, even removed from context.
This slim volume is a nice introduction to the mind of Thomas Jefferson, and hopefully will lead one to reading more of (and about) him.
“Quotations of Thomas Jefferson” is just that, a short anthology of aphorisms. It is a nice thing to serve as an introduction, but it is not to be substituted for actually reading Jefferson’s writings. These quotes are isolated from context, and thus can easily be misconstrued from original intent. Still, some of this stuff is pretty brilliant and/or profound, even removed from context.
This slim volume is a nice introduction to the mind of Thomas Jefferson, and hopefully will lead one to reading more of (and about) him.
April 30, 2026
Some quotes I loved:
“The most valuable of all talents is never using two words when one will do.”
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
“Question with boldness the existence of a God; because, if there is one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded faith.”
“I cannot live without books”
“The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best.”
So many great ones.
“The most valuable of all talents is never using two words when one will do.”
“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”
“Question with boldness the existence of a God; because, if there is one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded faith.”
“I cannot live without books”
“The sovereign invigorator of the body is exercise, and of all the exercises walking is the best.”
So many great ones.
April 20, 2012
This is a great collection of Jefferson's famous and not so famous quotes from everything (ie. his writings, correspondence, speeches). It is in a nice little hardcover book so it is a nice addition to any library. It also has a mini biography/background on Jefferson at the beginning of the book. It's worth the purchase/read.
October 29, 2022
These are some of my favorite quotes.
1: "I cannot live without books." (Pg 10)
2: "Where the press is free, and every man able to read, all is safe." (Pg 20)
3: "I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another." (Pg 22)
4: "I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." (Pg 23)
5: "Difference in opinion is helpful in religion." (Pg 24)
6: "When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred." (Pg 27)
7: "Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far." (Pg 31)
8: "The liberties of speaking and writing guards our other liberties." (Pg 32)
These quotes just come to show that the Founding Fathers (in some ways), especially Jefferson, were more liberal than the conservatives that worship them today.
Some say that Jefferson would have had Aspergers. And judging by their reasons, I think he is. He was obsessed with remodeling his house, didn't really talk at meetings, struggled with relationships, and was overwhelmed by loud noises. That sounds pretty Aspie to me.
1: "I cannot live without books." (Pg 10)
2: "Where the press is free, and every man able to read, all is safe." (Pg 20)
3: "I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another." (Pg 22)
4: "I hold it, that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical." (Pg 23)
5: "Difference in opinion is helpful in religion." (Pg 24)
6: "When angry, count to ten before you speak; if very angry, a hundred." (Pg 27)
7: "Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far." (Pg 31)
8: "The liberties of speaking and writing guards our other liberties." (Pg 32)
These quotes just come to show that the Founding Fathers (in some ways), especially Jefferson, were more liberal than the conservatives that worship them today.
Some say that Jefferson would have had Aspergers. And judging by their reasons, I think he is. He was obsessed with remodeling his house, didn't really talk at meetings, struggled with relationships, and was overwhelmed by loud noises. That sounds pretty Aspie to me.
February 7, 2017
Short and to the point. TJ understood how hard we fought as Americans to free ourselves from the yoke of tyranny. One of my favorite quotes, "On matters of style, swim with the current, on matters of principle, stand like a rock."
May 18, 2009
This is the book that I carry around with me. What an amazing writer. Where is our modern day Mr. Jefferson?
July 21, 2009
Thank You, Michael Gwaltney!
Great little book w/quotes by Thomas Jefferson.
Useful and quick to use.
Great little book w/quotes by Thomas Jefferson.
Useful and quick to use.
June 17, 2016
Exactly what it says, and they are some of the b at quotes of Thomas if not the best of any founder.
Great, quick read
Great, quick read
November 21, 2011
Interesting, but you can get any message out of bits of a person's letters and writings taken out of context.
May 27, 2012
I love it. I refer to it frequently
February 6, 2014
Good book to start researching Jefferson. Great basic bio. I'm pretty sure I'll have to read it again; even though it's clips of his writings they still are heavy.
June 8, 2014
Very interesting. A very, very long read but I thought it was worth it.
November 28, 2016
LOts and Lots of Quotes. Topical Organization fails to capture evolution of Jefferson's thinking over time and ignores links between topics. Context missing sometimes.
January 4, 2024
Nifty little quote book. Not too long or trivial. Lots of good quotes written down in my journal. Hope to touch back on a few of them. Liked his love for books and walking. And the strong phrases about liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
June 23, 2022
It is fascinating to compare the ideas of Thomas Jefferson, one of our Founding Fathers, in this book, with events happening in the USA today!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews