Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

The first duty of government is the protection of life...(Spurious Quotation)

Jefferson is often falsely quoted as having written "The first duty of government is the protection of life, not its destruction."

A modern-day portrait of Thomas Jefferson in early 19-century attire with a speech bubble next to his head that says, "I said what?!"

Quotation: "The first duty of government is the protection of life, not its destruction.  Abandon that, and you have abandoned all."

Variations:

  1. "The chief purpose of government is to protect life.  Abandon that, and you have abandoned all."

Sources consulted:

  1. Papers of Thomas Jefferson
  2. Thomas Jefferson retirement papers
  3. Thomas Jefferson: Papers and Biographies collections in Hathi Trust Digital Library

Earliest appearance in print found: 19891

Comments: This quotation has not been found in the writings of Thomas Jefferson.

- Anna Berkes, December 29, 2011

 

Footnotes

  1. George Grant, Trial and Error: The American Civil Liberties Union and Its Effect on Your Family (Wolgemuth & Hyatt, 1989), 85.