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says

Anna: "Taste cannot be controlled by law." Genuine TJ quote or spurious?

Thanks!

Anne – Jefferson/Monticello Enthusiast
March 22, 2013, 2:02 pm
says

This is all over the net, but I do not see any reliable sourcing. Can you verify that it is real please?
“If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.”
― Thomas Jefferson

Thank you

Peter Pitchford – Jefferson/Monticello Enthusiast
December 30, 2012, 3:54 pm
says

I'm afraid it's not, Peter - I have created a page on it here: http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/if-you-want-some...

Anna Berkes – Research Librarian, Monticello Staff
February 4, 2013, 12:36 pm
says

Not only did Jefferson not say it, it is contrary to his concept of having a natural aristocracy in charge. See his letter to John Adams from Monticello, October 28, 1813.

John Lloyd Scharf_2 – Jefferson/Monticello Enthusiast
December 14, 2012, 12:01 pm
says

Dear Anna, Did Mr. Jefferson really say, "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."

Thank you! Doubtful, too.

Shaz – Jefferson/Monticello Enthusiast
November 1, 2012, 3:54 pm
says

Dear Shaz,

You are right to doubt this one: http://www.monticello.org/site/jefferson/when-you-reach-end-your-rope-ti...

Anna Berkes – Research Librarian, Monticello Staff
January 14, 2013, 5:56 pm
says

Thanks for that Anna.

On a separate issue, I wonder why this famous, but correct, quote from Mr Jefferson's 1st inaugural is not listed among the famous ones?

"Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it."

Chris – Jefferson/Monticello Enthusiast
September 13, 2012, 8:03 pm
says

Hi Chris, you can find your real TJ quote, as well as hundreds of others with their proper citations, here:

http://retirementseries.dataformat.com/Document.aspx?doc=150954674

Lisa at the ptjrs – Managing Editor, Monticello Staff
March 25, 2013, 12:08 pm
says

Hi Chris,

We usually will only address specific (real) Jefferson quotations with their own page if there is some question about them, or they seem to be getting asked about fairly frequently. This is not one that people have been asking about, to my knowledge, but I might consider putting it in one of the topical quotation collections we have on our site.

Anna Berkes – Research Librarian, Monticello Staff
January 14, 2013, 5:55 pm
says

Is this genuine TJ?:

"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent"

Thanks

Chris – Jefferson/Monticello Enthusiast
August 20, 2012, 2:22 am

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