Thomas Jefferson Spirit Quotations

A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit.

On every question of Construction (of the Constitution) lets us carry our-selves back to the time when the Constitution was adopted, recollect the spirit manifested in the debates, instead of trying what meaning may be squeezed out of the text, or invented against it, conform to the probable one in which it was passed.

The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion of principle but that of gain

life is of no value but as it brings gratifications. among the most valuable of these is rational society. it informs the mind, sweetens the temper, chears our spirits, and promotes health.

The spirit of 1776 is not dead. It had only been slumbering. The body of the American people is substantially republican.

No man has greater confidence than I have in the spirit of the people, to a rational extent. Whatever they can, they will.

Communities should be planned with an eye to the effect on the human spirit of being continually surrounded by a maximum of beauty.

The principle of the Constitution is that of a separation of legislative, Executive and Judiciary functions, except in cases specified. If this principle be not expressed in direct terms, it is clearly the spirit of the Constitution, and it ought to be so commented and acted on by every friend of free government.

To unequal privileges among members of the same society the spirit of our nation is, with one accord, adverse.

[A] spirit of justice and friendly accomodation...is our duty and our interest to cultivate with all nations.