Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

Government by the majority who participate (Spurious Quotation)

Jefferson is often misquoted has having written, "We in America do not have government by the majority."

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: "We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate."

Variations: None known.

Sources consulted:

  1. Founders Online
  2. Thomas Jefferson retirement papers

Earliest known appearance in print: 20091

Earliest known appearance in print, attributed to Thomas Jefferson: see above

Comments: This quotation has never been found in the writings of Thomas Jefferson.

- Anna Berkes, 11/10

Footnotes

  1. Rent to Own Magazine, volume 5, issue 2 (March 2009): 5. The quotation reportedly appeared slightly earlier (2008) in a video game, Fallout 3; see https://fallout.fandom.com/wiki/MS15ButtonGwinnett.txt.