“Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.”

— Thomas Jefferson, Letter to Philip Mazzei (1796)

About Thomas Jefferson

1743 – 1826

American statesman, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States.

“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.”

“I steer my bark with Hope in the head, leaving Fear astern.”

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

“Any one thing in the creation is sufficient to demonstrate a Providence to an humble and grateful mind.”

“Why, what is weeping and sighing? A judgement. What is misfortune? A judgement.”

“For God made all mankind to be happy, to be serene.”

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

“Remember that all is opinion.”