Our legislators are not sufficiently apprised of the rightful limits of their powers: that their true office is to declare and enforce only our natural rights and duties, & to take none of them from us. No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another; and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him: every man is under the natural duty of contributing to the necessities of the society; and this is all the laws should enforce on him.

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1816-06-07) to Francis W. Gilmer
    (Source)

 
Added on 17-Oct-22 | Last updated 2-Jul-24
Link to this post | No comments
Topics: , , , , , , ,
More quotes by Jefferson, Thomas

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *