Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

The greatest danger to american freedom... (Spurious Quotation)

A quote commonly misattributed to Thomas Jefferson.

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 greatest danger to american freedom is a government that ignores the constitution."

Variations: None known.

Sources searched:

  • Founders Online
  • Jefferson Retirement Papers
  • Google/Google Books
  • Access Newspaper Archive

Earliest known appearance in print: D.H. Reid and Ginger Reid-Parker, The Phantom of the Hungry Hollow (Lulu Press, 2015), n.p.

Earliest known appearance in other media: Cap'n Ball, "Quotes on the Second Amendment," version captured December 4, 2004 by Internet Archive.

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

- Anna Berkes, 4/29/13; revised 8/11/15