The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are in…

Thomas Jefferson
1179 citations
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. ✨ Notes on the State of Virginia, query 17 (1781 - 1785)
Politics
25

More Author Quotes

We shall divert through our own Country a branch of commerce which the European States have thought worthy of the most important struggles and sacrifices, and in the event of peace on terms which hav … ▶
Never yet could I find that a black had uttered a thought above the level of plain narration; never saw even an elemental trait of painting or sculpture.
It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no God. ✨ Notes on the State of Virginia, query 17 (1781 - 1785)
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 dogmatize religious opinions for our citizens? Whose foot is to be the measure to wh … ▶
Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them. ✨ Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1859). The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: … ▶

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. ✨ Notes on the State of Virginia, query 17 (1781 - 1785)

More Author Quotes

Most Cited Authors

The Best Quotes

Most Liked Authors

Curated Author Quotes