Thomas Jefferson Honest Quotations

Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom.

Honesty, disinterestedness and good nature are indispensable to procure the esteem and confidence of those with whom we live, and on whose esteem our happiness depends.

Men are disposed to live honestly, if the means of doing so are open to them.

I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions.

Inspirational Quotes on: Honesty, Simplicity, Secret, Universe, Modesty, Peace Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

Of the various executive abilities, no one excited more anxious concern than that of placing the interests of our fellow-citizens in the hands of honest men, with understanding sufficient for their stations. No duty is at the same time more difficult to fulfil. The knowledge of character possessed by a single individual is of necessity limited. To seek out the best through the whole Union, we must resort to the information which from the best of men, acting disinterestedly and with the purest motives, is sometimes incorrect.

Every honest man will suppose honest acts to flow from honest principles, and the rogues may rail without intermission.

I believe we may lessen the danger of buying and selling votes, by making the number of voters too great for any means of purchase. I may further say that I have not observed men's honesty to increase with their riches.

Honesty and interest are as intimately connected in the public as in the private code of morality.

[I]n Great-Britain it is said that their constitution relies on the house of commons for honesty, and the lords for wisdom; whichwould be a rational reliance if honesty were to be bought with money, and if wisdom were hereditary.

Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one.

Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.

Difficulties indeed sometimes arise; but common sense and honest intentions will generally steer through them.

It can never be too often repeated, that the time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest, and ourselves united.

A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive.

With your talents and industry, with science, and that steadfast honesty which eternally pursues right, regardless of consequences, you may promise yourself every thing-but health, without which there is no happiness. An attention to health then should take place of evey other object. The time necessary to secure this by active exercises, should be devoted to it in preference to every other pursuit.

Honesty is the first chapter in the Book of wisdom. Let it be our endeavor to merit the character of a just nation.

The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.

This I hope will be the age of experiments in government, and that their basis will be founded in principles of honesty, not of mere force.

There is not a truth existing which I fear... or would wish unknown to the whole world.

An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens.

Who will govern the governors? There is only one force in the nation that can be depended upon to keep the government pure and the governors honest, and that is the people themselves. They alone, if well informed, are capable of preventing the corruption of power, and of restoring the nation to its rightful course if it should go astray. They alone are the safest depository of the ultimate powers of government.

Peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations...entangling alliances with none.

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

The commotions that have taken place in America, as far as they are yet known to me, offer nothing threatening. They are a proof that the people have liberty enough, and I could not wish them less than they have. If the happiness of the mass of the people can be secured at the expense of a little tempest now and then, or even of a little blood, it will be a precious purchase. 'Malo libertatem periculosam quam quietem servitutem.' Let common sense and common honesty have fair play, and they will soon set things to rights.

I have not observed mens honesty to increase with their riches.