The Words of Thomas Jefferson

by Thomas Jefferson

This keepsake book contains a selection of quotations by and about Thomas Jefferson, chosen for the exhibition The Words of Thomas Jefferson , featured in the new Thomas Jefferson Visitor Center at Monticello. Designed in the spirit of the early nineteenth-century literary tradition, the volume is a celebration of Jefferson's humor, curiosity, and wisdom. His words, reproduced as literally and as faithfully as possible, have been checked character for character against the original manuscripts by at least three trained documentary editors.

Selected by the staff of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the quotations correspond to fifteen themes that comprise the chapters of the book, representing Jefferson's thoughts and advice on subjects ranging from "America" and "Education" to "Progress" and "Slavery." The final section, "The Words of Others," includes twenty quotations about Thomas Jefferson himself.

The book includes two very brief prefaces, one that explains the relationship between the book and the Monticello galleries, and one offering a concise description of the editorial work involved in transcribing Jefferson's correspondence.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Politics, Amazon, American History, Classics

216 pages, Hardcover

First published July 20, 2007

About the author

Thomas 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.

Reviews

[Verona · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful little book, chock full of what I love most--quotes!! I am so grateful to my young neighbor, Cole Mortensen, who brought me this book as a gift from his trip to patriotic sites around the Washington, DC area. He actually bought this book at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. He is such a thoughtful and mature young man who knew I love American history and especially quotes.
I have a few Jefferson quotes in my memory bank, my favorite being the one that is carved aound the top of the inside rotunda of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC. It is this: "I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
Another I have quoted is: "We hold these truth to be self-evident; that all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal dreation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, amont which are the preservation of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. . . ."
One of my new favorites is: "My God! How little do my countrymen know what precious blessings they are in possession of and which no other people on earth enjoy." He said this to James Monroe in 1785. I believe that quote that most people take for granted the precious freedoms we enjoy in America, that she is a blessed land.
I love this one, too: "For it is in our lives, and not our words, that our religion must be read."
This tribute to Jefferson by William Jennings Bryan is fitting:
"God let loose a thinker when Jefferson was born. Jefferson's greatness rests more upon his love of human kind than upon his intellect. . . . He was great because his heart was big enough to embrace the world."

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it's good to remind yourself of the things that the founding fathers actually said. This is a beautiful book of the genius of Jefferson and his ability to find poetry not just in life but in all things that he inspected and found compelling. There will never be another with his eloquence and foresight.

[Nicholas · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Interesting idea, this collection of quotes from different documents and letters written by Thomas Jefferson. But without the context or whole content of what is written, it feels incomplete. What is given is the broad category of the subject. The true context and content of what is written could change what the quote is really saying after all.

Overall, interesting in subject for certain. The only issue was the lack of context to the quote vs. document. Worth reading, none the less.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

A wonderful collection of quotes that successfully represents Thomas Jefferson's intellect, passions, controversies, and complexity. A nice quick read for someone trying to gain a peek into an immense figure of history.

[Crazed8J8 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Purchased this upon my visit to Monticello, and what a wonderful collection from the mind of a brilliant man! So many great quotes about the various aspects of his life, his feelings, his emotions, and tapping into so many different subjects!
The book itself is laid out beautifully.

[MK Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short sayings by TJ on all things democracy, religion, learning, etc. Learned a lot about him and who he would write to often

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was published as a companion to the presentation of the same name at the Gallery at Monticello. It consists of a little over 200 quotations, the vast majority of which are from Thomas Jefferson himself, though at the end of the book there are a dozen or so quotes about Jefferson from others.

I'm not a big fan of quote books, but I enjoyed this one. Most of that is due to the fact that Thomas Jefferson is my favorite president, but part of it is due to the fact that the book itself is of very high quality. The paper and binding are excellent. Thankfully, the contents are high quality, as well, featuring quotes on a variety of topics with little overlap. This book is a useful addition to the collection of any Jefferson fan.

[Graham Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such insights into the mind of such great men are rare. Mr. Jefferson was a polymath of the enlightenment. A learned man of various interesting topics including Natural philosophy , Law and Justice. A great friend of Thomas Paine and Ben Franklin and of Mr. Randolph. He was a reluctant and then ardent Republican. He really wanted reconciliation with Britain. It is a shame the Germanic tyrant King George and his ridiculous Government wrought a sunder their own kin and empire . However the American cause was entirely just. And they were completely justified in asserting their rights. I do wish the original clause in the declaration of Independence , regarding slavery , had not been removed. It would have saved all the bloodshed 85 years later. A fascinating book.

[Scott Cooperstein]

Inspiring stuff. Thomas Jefferson is a definite role model of mine. Quick and easy read, yet still thought provoking.

[Chelsea DiGerolamo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Q

[David Armstrong]

A broad overview of a man of immense depth. It is a good place to start, but only to start.