The biggest inhibitor to change lies within yourself, and nothing gets better until you change.
Spencer Johnson (b. 1940) American psychologist, author
Who Moved My Cheese? (1998)
Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable and others extremely difficult.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (7 Dec 1782)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
There is no kind of idleness by which we are so easily seduced as that which dignifies itself by the appearance of business.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Idler, #48 (17 Mar 1759)
(Source)
The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)
Pleasure of itself is not a vice.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (15 Apr 1778)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never decieved us.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Idler, #80 (27 Oct 1759)
(Source)
The vanity of being trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it; for however absurd it may be thought to boast an honor by an act with shows that it was conferred without merit, yet most men seem rather inclined to confess the want of virtue than of importance, and more willingly show their influence, though at the expense of their probity, than glide through life with no other pleasure than the private consciousness of fidelity; which, while it is preserved, must be without praise, except from the single person who tries and knows it.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #13 (1 May 1750)
(Source)
Those who do not feel pain seldom think that it is felt.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #48 (1 Sep 1750)
(Source)
If a man does not make new acquaintance as he advances through life, he will soon find himself left alone. A man, Sir, should keep his friendship in constant repair.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment to Joshua Reynolds (1755)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Whereas, Sir, you know courage is reckoned the greatest of all virtues; because, unless a man has that virtue, he has no security for preserving any other.
But if he does really think that there is no distinction between virtue and vice, why, Sir, when he leaves our houses let us count our spoons.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (14 Jul 1763)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (7 Apr 1775)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791):Patriotism having become one of our topicks, Johnson suddenly uttered, in a strong determined tone, an apophthegm, at which many will start: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." But let it be considered, that he did not mean a real and generous love of our country, but that pretended patriotism which so many, in all ages and countries, have made a cloak of self-interest.Ambrose Bierce wrote in his Devil's Dictonary, "In Dr. Johnson's famous dictionary patriotism is defined as the last resort of a scoundrel. With all due respect to an enlightened but inferior lexicographer I beg to submit that it is the first."
All knowledge is of itself of some value. There is nothing so minute or inconsiderable that I would not rather know it than not.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (14 Apr 1775)
(Source)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
It is better to live rich, than to die rich.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (17 Apr 1778)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Sir, all the arguments which are brought to represent poverty as no evil, shew it to be evidently a great evil. You never find people labouring to convince you that you may live very happily upon a plentiful fortune.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (20 Jul 1768)
(Source)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence, is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of this weary pilgrimage.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (20 Mar 1782)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
In order that all men may be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, # 96 (16 Feb 1751)
A fly, Sir, may sting a stately horse and make him wince; but one is but an insect, and the other is a horse still.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Letter to Lord Chesterfield (1754)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791), Note to entry for 20 Mar 1776.
Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance. Yonder palace was raised by single stones, yet you see its height and spaciousness. He that shall walk with vigor three hours a day will pass in seven years a space equal to the circumference of the globe.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia, ch. 13 (1759)
(Source)
I live in the crowd of jollity, not so much to enjoy company as to shun myself.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia, ch. 26 (1759)
(Source)
The applause of a single human being is of great consequence.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (1780)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Life is not long, and too much of it must not pass in idle deliberation of how it shall be spent; dleiberation, which those who begin it by prudence, and continue it with futility, must, afer long expence of thought, conclude by chance. To prefer one future mode of life to another, upon just reasons, requires faculties which it has not pleased our Creator to give us.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Letter to James Boswell (21 Aug 1766)
(Source)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
The greatest part of mankind have no other reason for their opinions than that they are in fashion.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Plays of William Shakespeare, “Macbeth” (1765)
Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach, and even this negative recompense has been yet granted to very few.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
A Dictionary of the English Language, Preface (1755)
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Adventurer, #111 (27 Nov 1753)
(Source)
Depend upon it, Sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (1777-09-19)
(Source)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rules on composition: it produces vigilance rather than elevation, rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often escapes miscarriages but seldom reaches either power or horror. … Prudence keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Idler, #57 (19 May 1759)
(Source)
It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #79 (18 Dec 1750)
(Source)
I deny the lawfulness of telling a lie to a sick man for fear of alarming him; you have no business with consequences, you are to tell the truth.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (13 Jun 1784)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
If I were punished for every pun I shed, there would not be left a puny shed of my punnish head.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
(Attributed)
While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till grief be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Comment (10 Apr 1776)
In James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson (1791)
A successful tool is one that was used to do something undreamed of by its author.
(Other Authors and Sources)
S. C. JohnsonAttributed to both Samuel Curtis Johnson, Sr. (1833-1919), businessman and founder of S. C. Johnson Wax, and (more likely) to Stephan C. Johnson, contemporary computer scientist. In the latter case, it is often written as "A successful [software] tool is ..."
Let the national legislature once perform an act which involves the decision of a religious controversy, and it will have passed its legitimate bounds The precedent will then be established, and the foundation laid, for that usurpation of the divine prerogative in this country which has been the desolating scourge to the fairest portions of the Old World. Our Constitution recognizes no other power than that of persuasion, for enforcing religious observances. Let the professors of Christianity recommend their religion by deeds of benevolence, by Christian meekness, by lives of temperance and holiness. Let them combine their efforts to instruct the ignorant, to relieve the widow and the orphan, to promulgate to the world the gospel of their Saviour, recommending its precepts by their habitual example; government will find its legitimate object in protecting them. It cannot oppose them, and they will not need its aid. Their moral influence will then do infinitely more to advance the true interests of religion than any measures they may call on Congress to enact.
Richard Mentor Johnson (1781-1850) US politician, Vice-President (1837-1841)
Report on the Transportation of Mail on Sundays, 20th Congress, 2nd Session (19 Jan 1829)
(Source)
The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false.
Paul Johnson (b. 1928) English journalist, historian, speechwriter, author
The Recovery of Freedom (1980)
If two men agree on everything, you may be sure that one of them is doing the thinking.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963-69)
(Attributed (c. 1964))
While you’re saving your face, you’re losing your ass.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963-69)
Quoted in Philip Geyelin, Lyndon B. Johnson and the World, ch. 6 (1966)
(Source)
Geyelin said the phrase came up during "an august gathering of his most distinguished advisers when the question arose whether to honor an apparent US commitment to a proposition which Congress seemed unlikely to accept. Face-saving, the President observed, was not his major purpose in life," followed by the quote.
You do not examine legislation in the light of the benefits it will convey if properly administered, but in the light of the wrongs it would do and the harms it would cause if improperly administered.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963-69)
(Attributed)
Widely attributed to Johnson, and in keeping with his reputation as a wily legislator, but no actual source found.
For as the problem of civil rights has grown in urgency it has also grown in complexity. We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963-69)
Speech (1964-12-10), National Urban League, New York
(Source)
I’d rather give my life than be afraid to give it.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963-69)
(Attributed (1963))
(Source)
Recounted about Johnson, when he (among other dignitaries) rejected advice from the Secret Service not to march publicly in John F. Kennedy's funeral procession (1963-11-25), in the face of various warnings of further violence or assassination attempts.
According to William Manchester in his extensive The Death of a President, Book 2, ch. 10 (1967), Johnson was actually speaking to his military aide, Col. William Jackson, and said,You damned bastards are trying to take over. If I listen to you, I'll be led to stupid, indecent decisions. I'm going to walk.
This reaction may have been in part due to a previous episode in the book; after the leaving Parkland Hospital in Dallas to head for a flight to the White House, Johnson had been unceremoniously stuffed into one car by his lead Secret Service agent, forced to crouch below the level of the window, and his wife put in the following car as a decoy for other potential assassins.
I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her way. And second, let her have it.
Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973) American politician, educator, US President (1963-69)
Toast (1965-11-17), State Dinner for Lord Snowdon and Princess Margaret
(Source)
Walk away from it until you’re stronger. All your problems will be there when you get back, but you’ll be better able to cope.
Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson (1912-2007) American First Lady, beautification activist [nee Claudia Alton Taylor]
(Attributed)
It’s odd that you can get so anesthetized by your own pain or your own problem that you don’t quite fully share the hell of someone close to you.
Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson (1912-2007) American First Lady, beautification activist [nee Claudia Alton Taylor]
A White House Diary (1970)
Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.
Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson (1912-2007) American First Lady, beautification activist [nee Claudia Alton Taylor]
(Attributed)
Any committee is only as good as the most knowledgeable, determined and vigorous person on it. There must be somebody who provides the flame.
Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson (1912-2007) American First Lady, beautification activist [nee Claudia Alton Taylor]
A White House Diary (1970)
Never ruin an apology with an excuse.
(Other Authors and Sources)
Kimberly Johnson
Sometimes attributed to Ben Franklin (but also without any citation).
See everything. Overlook a great deal. Improve a little.
St. John XXIII (1881-1963) Italian Catholic Pontiff (1958-63) [Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli]
(Attributed)
A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.
St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) Spanish theologian, mystic [b. Juan de Yepes]
(Attributed)
A comprehended god is no god.
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) Syrian prelate, preacher, Church Father
(Attributed)
A lady came up to me on the street and pointed at my suede jacket. “You know a cow was murdered for that jacket?” she sneered. I replied in a psychotic tone, “I didn’t know there were any witnesses. Now I’ll have to kill you too.”
Jake Johannsen (b. 1960) American comedian
(Attributed)
My girlfriend always laughs during sex — no matter what she’s reading.
Steve Jobs (1955-2011) American computer inventor, entrepreneur
(Spurious)
From a comedy routine by Emo Philips (in the album Emo it's "... always giggles ...").
We love peace, as we abhor pusillanimity; but not peace at any price. There is a peace more destructive of the manhood of living man, than war is destructive to his material body. Chains are worse than bayonets.
Douglas William Jerrold (1803-1857) English playwright and humorist
(Attributed)
(Source)
In Blanchard Gerrold (ed.), Specimens of Douglas Jerrold's Wit (1858)
Yes, it’s all very well to talk about fortunes made in no time: they’re like shirts made in no time — it’s ten to one if they hang long together.
Douglas William Jerrold (1803-1857) English playwright and humorist
Mrs. Caudle’s Curtain Lectures, Lecture 23 (1866)
(Source)
Taking off his hat and smoothing the wrinkles of his brow, Topps said, ‘Humph! what is dogmatism? Why, it is this, of course: dogmatism is puppyism come to its full growth.’
Douglas William Jerrold (1803-1857) English playwright and humorist
A Man Made of Money, ch. 21 (1849)
(Source)Variations / paraphrases found elsewhere:
- "Dogmatism is puppyism full grown."
- "Dogmatism is puppyism gone to seed."
When the stomach is full, it is easy to talk of fasting.
St. Jerome (c. 347-419) Roman Christian priest, theologian, historian, translator [Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus]
(Attributed)
The friendship which can cease has never been real.
St. Jerome (c. 347-419) Roman Christian priest, theologian, historian, translator [Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus]
“Letter 3”
The Web brings people together because no matter what kind of a twisted sexual mutant you happen to be, you’ve got millions of pals out there. Type in ‘Find people that have sex with goats that are on fire’ and the computer will say, ‘Specify type of goat.’
Richard Jeni (1957-2007) American comedian
(Attributed)
at the Montreal Comedy Festival
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
(Spurious)
For more information, see here.
It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 17 (1782)
(Source)
When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property, and justly liable to the inspection and vigilance of public opinion; and the more sensibly he is made to feel his dependence, the less danger will there be of his abuse of power.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Conversation with Baron Humboldt (1807)
(Source)
In Seymour, A Winter in Washingtonm ch. 9 (1824), further identified in Raynor, Life of Jefferson (1832). As it is all anecdotal, the accuracy may be easily questioned, but its proximity to the events lends it a certain validity.
In fine, I repeat that you must lay aside all prejudice on both sides, and neither believe nor reject any thing because any other person, or description of persons have rejected or believed it. Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable not for the rightness but uprightness of the decision.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Peter Carr (10 Aug 1787)
(Source)
On urging him to read and determine for himself the divinity or non-divinity of Christ.
Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to John Adams (11 Jan 1817)
(Source)
Instructions he gave to a biographer.
The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the Atmosphere.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1787-02-22) to Abigail Adams
(Source)
Referring to Shays' Rebellion. See his contemporary letter to James Madison.
Shake off all the fears and servile prejudices under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Peter Carr (10 Aug 1787)
(Source)
A strict observance of the written laws is doubtless one of the high duties of a good citizen: but it is not the highest. The laws of necessity, of self-preservation, of saving our country when in danger, are of higher obligation. To lose our country by a scrupulous adherence to written law, would be to lose the law itself, with life, liberty, property & all those who are enjoying them with us; thus absurdly sacrificing the end to the means.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to John B. Colvin (20 Sep 1810)
(Source)
How long we can hold our ground I do not know. We are not incorruptible; on the contrary, corruption is making a sensible tho’ silent progress. Offices are as acceptable here as elsewhere, and when once a man has cast a longing eye on them, a rottenness begins in his conduct.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Tench Coxe (21 May 1799)
(Source)
Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Inaugural Address (1801-03-14)
(Source)
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
(Spurious)
Also attributed to Franklin Roosevelt. For more information, see here.
Whether the succeeding generation is to be more virtuous than their predecessors, I cannot say; but I am sure they will have more worldly wisdom, and enough, I hope, to know that honesty is the 1st chapter in the book of wisdom.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Nathaniel Macon (1819-01-12)
(Source)
Usually just the last phrase is given, and transcribed as "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom."
More information about this quotation:
The clergy … believe that any portion of power confided to me will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly: for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: and enough, too, in their opinion ….
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1800-09-23) to Benjamin Rush
(Source)
On members of the clergy who had "a very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment of a particular form of Christianity thro' the U. S.; and as every sect believes its own form the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the Episcopalians & Congregationalists."
Usually elided to: "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
We are not to expect to be translated from despotism to liberty, in a feather-bed.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Lafayette (2 Apr 1790)
(Source)
It is neither wealth nor splendor, but tranquility and occupation, which give happiness.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1788-07-12) to Anna Jefferson Marks
(Source)
The salutation is "My dear Sister," and is a congratulations for her marrying Hastings Marks. Some copies, and filings of the letter, make it out to "Anna Scott Marks," her birth name was Anna Scott Jefferson.
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniencies attending too much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1791-12-23) to Archibald Stuart
(Source)
Jefferson originally wrote "dangers" instead of "inconveniencies."
It is of great importance to set a resolution, not to be shaken, never to tell an untruth. There is no vice so mean, so pitiful, so contemptible and he who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual, he tells lies without attending to it, and truths without the world’s believing him. This falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all it’s good dispositions.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Peter Carr (19 Aug 1785)
(Source)
Liberty then I would say that, in the whole plenitude of it’s extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will: but rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will, within the limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’; because law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Isaac H. Tiffany (4 Apr 1819)
(Source)
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
(Spurious)
Variations:
- "I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."
- "The harder I work, the more luck I have."
Not found in any of Jefferson's written works. The sentiment long predates him, but this particular quotation (and variants) date to the 1920s. More discussion here: I’m a Great Believer in Luck. The Harder I Work, the More Luck I Have – Quote Investigator.
Truth is great and will prevail if left to herself. She is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed of her natural weapons, free argument and debate, errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
“Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom,” Preamble (1776-06-18; enacted 1786-01-16)
(Source)
And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it’s motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be 20. years without such a rebellion. The people can not be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. We have had 13. states independant 11. years. There has been one rebellion. That comes to one rebellion in a century and a half for each state. What country before ever existed a century and half without a rebellion? And what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance?
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to William Stephens Smith (13 Nov 1787)
(Source)
Speaking of Shay's Rebellion.
I know well that no man will ever bring out of that office the reputation which carries him into it.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1796-12-27) to Edward Rutledge
(Source)
On the Presidency.
I cannot live without books.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to John Adams (10 Jun 1815)
(Source)
Were I called upon to decide whether the people had best be omitted in the Legislative or Judiciary department, I would say it is better to leave them out of the Legislative. The execution of the laws is more important than the making them.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1789-07-19) to Abbé Arnoux
(Source)
Sometimes it is said that man can not be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels in the forms of kings to govern him? Let history answer this question.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Inaugural Address (1801-03-14)
(Source)
I am really mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, a fact like this can become a subject of enquiry, and of criminal enquiry too, as an offence against religion: that a question about the sale of a book can be carried before the civil magistrate. Is this then our freedom of religion? And are we to have a Censor whose imprimatur shall say what books may be sold, and what we may buy? And who is thus to dogmatise religious opinions for our citizens? Whose foot is to be the measure to which ours are all to be cut or stretched? Is a Priest to be our Inquisitor, or shall a layman, simple as ourselves, set up his reason as the rule for what we are to read, & what we must believe? It is an insult to our citizens to question whether they are rational beings or not; and blasphemy against religion to suppose it cannot stand the test of truth and reason. If M. de Becourt’s book be false in it’s facts, disprove them; if false in it’s reasoning, refute it. but, for god’s sake, let us freely hear both sides, if we chuse.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter to Nicolas G. Dufief (19 Apr 1814)
(Source)
I know that I have never been so well pleased as when I could shift power from my own, on the shoulders of others; nor have I ever been able to conceive how any rational being could propose happiness to himself from the exercise of power over others.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Letter (1811-01-26) to Destutt de Tracy
(Source)
Often just the second clause is quoted: "I have never been able to conceive how ..."
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
Notes on the State of Virginia, Query 17 (1782)
(Source)
The possession of facts is knowledge; the use of them is wisdom; the choice of them, education. Knowledge is not power but riches, and like them, has its value in spending.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) American political philosopher, polymath, statesman, US President (1801-09)
(Spurious)
Widely attributed to Jefferson, but with no citation or written record that can be found.
The wild God of the world is sometimes merciful to those
That ask mercy, not often to the arrogant.Robinson Jeffers (1887-1962) American poet
“Hurt Hawks”
Civilization is the art of living in towns of such size that everyone does not know everyone else.
Julian Jaynes (1920-1997) American psychologist
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind (1976)
Do not fear your enemies. The worst they can do is kill you. Do not fear friends. At worst, they may betray you. Fear those who do not care; they neither kill nor betray, but betrayal and murder exists because of their silent consent.
Bruno Jasienski (1901-1941?) Polish author [also Bruno Yasensky]
(Attributed)
Boredom results from being attentive to the passage of time itself.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
(Attributed)
To preach skepticism to us as a duty until “sufficient evidence” for religion be found, is tantamount therefore to telling us, when in presence of the religious hypothesis, that to yield to our fear of its being error is wiser and better than to yield to our hope that it may be true. It is not intellect against all passions, then; it is only intellect with one passion laying down its law.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
“The Will to Believe” (1896)
Her only test of probably truth is what works best inthe wya of leading us, what fits every part of life best and comines with the collectivity of experience’s demands, nothing being omitted.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
Pragmatism: A New Name for Some Old Ways of Thinking, Lecture 2, “What Pragmatism Means” (1907)
Full text."Her" is "Pragmatism." Often paraphrased as "Truth is what works."
I now perceive one immense omission in my Psychology— the deepest principle of Human Nature is the craving to be appreciated, and I left it out altogether from the book, because I had never had it gratified till now.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
Letter to his Philosophy 2A class at Radcliffe College (6 Apr 1896)
The class had sent him a potted azalea at Easter. Full letter:Dear Young Ladies, I am deeply touched by your remembrance. It is the first time anyone ever treated me so kindly, so you may well believe that the impression on the heart of the lonely sufferer will be even more durable than the impression on your minds of all the teachings of Philosophy 2A. I now perceive one immense omission in my Psychology—the deepest principle of Human Nature is the craving to be appreciated, and I left it out altogether from the book, because I had never had it gratified until now. I fear that you have let lose a demon in me, and that all my actions will now be for the sake of such rewards.
Whenever two people meet there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
(Attributed) (1890?)
Most people live, whether physically, intellectually or morally, in a very restricted circle of their potential being. They make use of a very small portion of their possible consciousness, and of their soul’s resources in general, much like a man who, out of his whole bodily organism, should get into a habit of using and moving only his little finger. Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
Letter to W. Lutoslawski (6 May 1906)
Be willing to have it so; acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
(Attributed) (1879?)
We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
Letter to E.L. Godkin (24 Dec 1895)
Full text.
A great many people think they are thinking, when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
(Attributed)
There is no more miserable human being that one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
Principles of Psychology, ch. 4 (1890)
Full text.
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
(Attributed)
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging of an uncompleted task.
William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
Letter to Carl Stumpf (1 Jan 1886)