The quotes from Thomas Jefferson are eloquent and full of wisdom, which makes sense considering he is one of the most famous authors in America’s political history. Thomas Jefferson wrote the draft for the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which John Adams thought was entirely appropriate because he considered Jefferson to have a “happy talent for composition and singular felicity of expression.” Certainly, the Declaration of Independence is not only a strong political statement but also beautifully written. Jefferson’s accomplishments did not end with writing the Declaration of Independence. He went on to serve as George Washington’s Secretary of State, was the vice president during John Adams' presidency, and finally became the third president of the United States. As president, Jefferson acquired the Louisiana Territory through the famous Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States. It was probably one of the most memorable achievements in his presidency. Obviously, Thomas Jefferson was a very accomplished man, and there are many things to learn from the quotes from Thomas Jefferson.
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1. Honesty
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Honesty and politics do not always go hand in hand, yet one of the famous quotes from Thomas Jefferson is, “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.” Living an honest life is one of the most important things a person can do. An honest person is a trustworthy person, and having trust is critical for all of your relationships. I have always tried to be honest and sincere; however, I will confess it can be hard sometimes to tell someone the truth. Still, I have found that in the end, being honest results in the best possible outcome. Even it means telling your best friend she might want to change her dress before you go out. I know I would always rather know if my clothes are flattering or not. While being honest about your opinion on an outfit may not be as important about being honest about your opinion regarding a critical work project, it does highlight that honesty is an important quality that only serves to strengthen relationships.
2. Action
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I have always believed in taking action when you want to improve any area of your life. Consequently, Jefferson’s profound quote, “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act: Action will delineate and define you…” resonates with me. While I tend to act immediately when I want to change something or achieve something, I have noticed there are people who are often afraid to take action. They talk about change, but don’t seem to be able to take the next step. However, taking action is the exciting part. There is so much promise in the possibility of what can occur when you take action. If you are someone who struggles with taking the first step, remember Jefferson’s words, “Action will delineate and define you.”
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3. Happiness
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One of the unalienable rights Jefferson included in the Declaration of Independence was the pursuit of happiness. Happiness seems to be something Jefferson thought a lot about because he also affirmed, “The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.” I find it interesting that Jefferson made this statement, because the original natural rights of man from John Locke included the pursuit of property not happiness. Yet, in both of these instances, Jefferson put happiness above money, which is where it belongs. It is true that money can’t bring happiness. True happiness comes from within, from the “glow of one warm thought.”
4. Positive Attitude
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Having a positive attitude is very important in life; it is a quality that Jefferson recognized as being crucial for achieving goals. Jefferson asserted, “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goals; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.” I know from personal experience that it can be very difficult at times to be positive, especially when you are in difficult situation. However, having a positive attitude in all situations will help you achieve your goals. It will give you the mental energy you need to get where you want to be. I can tell you that whenever I have picked myself up and put on a positive attitude, any situation has gotten much better.
5. Friendship
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Friendship is such an essential part of life. Friends are there for you when you are having a bad time, and they take part in your life’s celebrations. Without friends life can be very lonely. Jefferson recognized this when he expressed, “But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.” This is such an eloquent way of expressing how wonderful friendship is. I don’t know about you, but it makes me want to call my friends up and invite them over.
6. Style Vs Principle
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The quote, “In matters of style swim with the current; in matters of principle stand like a rock,” is perhaps one of the most relevant quotes to today’s world from Jefferson. With peer pressure and social media, it can be so easy to follow the crowd. Yet, sticking to your own values is what is important. When I was in high school I was very quiet and did not often speak my mind. I now wish I had, because standing firm in your principles and standing up for your principles are imperative. If, however, you want to follow the latest styles and popular music, by all means go ahead. As far as fashion is concerned, I always like to wear what is current, but I would never do the same with my values.
7. Circumstances Don’t Define You
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Jefferson proclaimed, “Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.” I cannot agree more with this quote. I have never thought that happiness is a result of a person’s current situation in life. Rather, it comes from deep within. Cultivating happiness isn’t necessarily always easy, but it is always possible. It may require a change in attitude as well as action, but it can happen. It just takes a little patience.
As you can see, John Adams was correct that Jefferson had a “happy talent for composition…” All of these quotes are both expressive and wise. Each one of these quotes has so much to teach about values and living a full life. I hope you found inspiration in Jefferson’s words. Which of these quotes resonates with you the most?