Encyclopedia
A Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge
Jefferson's "Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge" was his most enduring work on the subject of education.
Quotations
Thomas Jefferson is one of the most frequently quoted (and misquoted) figures in American history. The most frequently cited quotes by and about Jefferson may be found in the entries below.
Reference the Jefferson Quotes and Family Letters website for a more extensive collection of quotes.
page 1 of 3
-
![Printed version of Jefferson's "A Bill for the more general diffusion of Knowledge"]()
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaA Little Rebellion...(Quotation)
Learn more about Jefferson's often cited quote, "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing"
-
![]()
EncyclopediaArchitecture is my delight...(Quotation)
One of Jefferson's most famous quotes about architecture cannot be found in his own writings. Explore the attribution of this popular quotation and its original sources.
-
![List of canons of conduct in Thomas Jefferson's hand]()
EncyclopediaCanons of Conduct
A look at two lists by Thomas Jefferson with his advice about how to conduct one's behavior in life.
-
![One of Jefferson's handwritten letters to Abigail Adams, date May 15, 1817.]()
EncyclopediaChain Email with 10 Jefferson Quotations
A short review of ten quotations that are frequently attributed -- and mis-attributed -- to Thomas Jefferson.
-
![]()
EncyclopediaDeathbed Adieu
Read the verse Thomas Jefferson wrote as a farewell to his family a few days before his death in 1826.
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaDreams of the future... (Quotation)
In an 1816 letter to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past."
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaDupes and Impostors (Quotation)
Jefferson wrote William Short about his belief that the teachings of Jesus had been corrupted by "dupes and imposters."
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaEmpire of liberty (Quotation)
Jefferson used the phrase "empire of liberty" in his letters to describe his vision of an expanding American union — explore two verified examples from his own writings, spanning 1780 to 1809.
-
![Photographic image of the West Front of Monticello: (c) Thomas Jefferson Foundation.]()
EncyclopediaEssay in architecture (Quotation)
Thomas Jefferson described Monticello as his "essay in Architecture."
-
![Original Jefferson Nickel (front)]()
EncyclopediaFamous Quotations
A list of links to over thirty five of Thomas Jefferson's most famous quotations.
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaFire bell in the night (Quotation)
In 1820, Jefferson described the Missouri statehood debate as a "fire bell in the night" — a vivid warning that the question of slavery's expansion threatened to tear the Union apart.
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaFollow Truth (Quotation)
Thomas Jefferson used the phrase "follow truth" a number of times in letters and other writings.
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaFriendship like wine (Quotation)
In an 1811 letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, Jefferson compared friendship to wine — raw when new but ripened with age — in one of his most eloquent reflections on the value of long-lasting bonds.
-
![Louisiana. Drawn by S. Lewis. Tanner sc. (Boston: Published by Thomas & Andrews. 1812); image courtesy David Rumsey Map Collection, David Rumsey Map Center, Stanford Libraries.]()
EncyclopediaHe who knows best... (Quotation)
Jefferson once wrote "he who knows most, knows best how little he knows," a phrase often misquoted as "He who knows best, knows how little he knows."
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaHonesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom (Quotation)
In an 1819 letter to Nathaniel Macon, Jefferson expressed his faith that future generations would have the worldly wisdom to understand that honesty is the foundation of all wisdom.
-
![Antique books illustrating titles owned by Thomas Jefferson on a shelf in the Library at Monticello.]()
EncyclopediaI cannot live without books (Quotation)
In an 1815 letter to John Adams, Jefferson declared he could not live without books.
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaI never considered a difference of opinion in politics...(Quotation)
In an 1800 letter to friend William Hamilton, Jefferson declared that differences in politics, religion, or philosophy were never cause for ending a friendship — a sentiment drawn from their own reconciliation.
-
![]()
EncyclopediaI prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery (Quotation)
In a 1787 letter to his friend James Madison, Jefferson quoted a Latin phrase that can be translated as "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery."
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaI rise with the sun (Quotation)
A verified Jefferson quotation from an 1819 letter to Dr. Vine Utley, in which Jefferson described his lifelong habit of rising with the sun regardless of when he went to bed.
-
![Elevation drawing by John Neilson of the University of Virginia's Rotunda show the wings and two of the Pavilions.]()
EncyclopediaIllimitable freedom of the human mind (Quotation)
Learn more about the famous Thomas Jefferson quote "the illimitable freedom of the human mind" and how it relates to his founding of the University of Virginia.
-
![A view of Monticello's Parlor with light gray walls, a tall glass door with a triangular pediment, decorative hardwood floors, red upholstered chairs, and two busts on waist-high, light-brown marble columns.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson in Conversation
A collection of quotes describing Thomas Jefferson in conversation from a variety of sources compiled by Monticello researchers.
-
![Jefferson's obelisk gravestone, which features the three things his wished most to be remembered for: the Declaration of Independence; the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, and the University of Virginia.]()
EncyclopediaJefferson's Birthday Celebration
Find out how Thomas Jefferson preferred to celebrate his birthday.
-
![LOC]()
EncyclopediaKnowledge is power (Quotation)
Thomas Jefferson used the phrase "knowledge is power" at least four times in his letters; the phrase likely originated in the 1500s with Francis Bacon.
