Posted on 04/13/2018 1:06:46 PM PDT by rey
Post your favorite quote and why it is your favorite.
April 13 is Thomas Jefferson’s 275th Birthday. Since I share his birthday, I have long been a fan. But that is mainly because the drafter of the Declaration of Independence was the most prolific of our founders, especially on the topics of liberty and the rights that America was created to preserve and protect. It is worth celebrating his bicenterquasiquigenary (according to the only website I found providing a latin name) by remembering his profound words.
“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
Including your post?
Another Jefferson quote:
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
Also, his birth date was April 2nd using the calendar he was born under.
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
-Opening line of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743.
He was only 33 years old when he penned the Declaration of Independence..........
“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery”. ,Thomas Jefferson
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
See tagline.
TJ is my least favorite of the founders. he was a utopian, a francophile, a social dabbler, and he probably fled in the face of the enemy when he was governor of VA. he was also oddly not present at every key moment in the new country’s history other than the writing of the DoI.
. . . and he flirted with treason by (genuinely) colluding with the french during the french revolution when he was adam’s VP.
if he was alive today, he would be a liberal democrat.
Thomas Jefferson is the only President whose birthday can fall on Friday the 13th.
Why? Is that what killed him?
I really used to admire Jefferson, but the guy did have character problems.
“Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there is one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.”
Interesting that Three of the first five U.S. presidents died on July 4. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died in 1826, the 50th anniversary of the country’s birth. Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” James Monroe, the fifth president, died five years later in 1831
I appreciate that Jefferson was a great man, but I feel much the same.
My dislike of certain aspects of Jefferson stems from the whispering campaign he started against President Washington in his 2nd term. He was spreading the word (because of his intense dislike of Hamilton) that Washington wasn’t up to serving, was simply a figurehead serving as a puppet for the policy preferences of Hamilton.
Washington found out that it was Jefferson behind the whispering campaign (from what was termed an impeccable and unimpeachable source) and coldly confronted him, telling him in measured terms that he knew that Jefferson was behind it.
Their personal relationship died at that time, and they did not correspond with each other for the rest of their lives. Jefferson resigned from the Cabinet sometime after that. It was said that when they encountered each other at functions and such, Washington was coldly formal with him, shaking his hand and greeting him politely, but not even engaging in small talk. (That Washington, who was a prolific letter-writer never wrote him again is a solid indication to me that this version of history is probably accurate)
Interestingly, Jefferson and Adams had a similar falling out due to the campaign in the 1800 Presidential Election (which was so bitter, it should be the standard against which all bitter and nasty campaigns are measured...except people have forgotten it) and did not correspond for many years, but did finally achieve a reconciliation later in life after about 12 years of no contact at all.
I have found it fascinating that Adams and Jefferson both died on the same day, within hours of each other...on July 4th, 1826. Amazing.
Jefferson was a flawed man. We are all flawed (Except maybe Washington, who I do idolize...:) but I am grateful for Jefferson’s huge part in our independence, and I appreciate many aspects of his Presidency.
Right...see my post at #17 above. As I became more educated about the finer points of American history, I lost some respect for Jefferson.
A little-known TJ quote:
“I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Hemings.”
“Adams’ last words were “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” “
Completely unaware that Jefferson had died hours earlier.
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