Thomas Jefferson Quotes

There are those who believe that power is up above, and they don't notice that it's actually in the hearts of the great masses.

The only power deserving the name is that of masses, and of governments while they make themselves the organ of the tendencies and instincts of masses.

It should be remembered, as an axiom of eternal truth in politics, that whatever power in any government is independent, is absolute also; in theory only, at first, while the spirit of the people is up, but in practice, as fast as that relaxes. Independence can be trusted nowhere but with the people in mass.

The masses are our masters; and for every one who looks facts in the face his existence has become dependent on them, so that the thought of them must control his doings, his cares, and his duties.

We must reflect more on what democracy in the exercise of authority would mean. Is truth determined by a majority vote, only for a new 'truth' to be 'discovered' by a new majority tomorrow?

Democracy is the fig leaf of elitism.

The opinion of the strongest is always the best.

All authority belongs to the people.

A faction may beat a faction, at a pretty fair and even conflict; but in a fair and full contest, it can never beat the people. The great art of factions is to keep the decision from the body of the people.

I am the people — the mob — the crowd — the mass. Do you know that all the great work of the world is done through me?

Individual liberty is individual power, and as the power of a community is a mass compounded of individual powers, the nation which enjoys the most freedom must necessarily be in proportion to its numbers the most powerful nation.

What the electorate gives, the electorate can take away

Notwithstanding the oppression and injustice experienced among us from democracy, the genius of the people is in favor of it, and the genius of the people must be consulted.

It is a maxim that in every Government, there must exist, somewhere a Supreme, Sovereign, absolute, and uncontrollable Power; But this Power resides, always in the body of the People, and it never was, or can be delegated, to one Man, or a few.

I know of no better or safer human tribunal than the people.

The essential objection to democracy is that, with few exceptions, it imposes degrading acts and attitudes upon the men responsible for the welfare and dignity of the state.

The power of Kings and Magistrates is nothing else, but what is only derivative, transferred and committed to them in trust from the People.

Elections are the means we use to establish the will of the people in order to assure the rule of the people.

… the irresistible power of concentrated public opinion

The Sovereign: The People

The people want to exercise power but what on earth would they do with it if it were given to them?

The parliamentary regime leaves everything to the decision of majorities,--how can the large majorities beyond parliament be expected not to wish to decide? If, from above, they hear the fiddle screeching, what else is to be expected than that those below should dance?

We" are not the government; the government is not "us." The government does not in any accurate sense "represent" the majority of the people

A democracy is the name of a government of those who are ruling for their own advantage, in opposition to the rich, or to any specific people.

There were differences of opinion, but the only opinion that mattered was the President’s opinion.