Thomas Jefferson Quotes

North America is the country where reason and humanity will develop more rapidly than anywhere else.

To the press alone, chequered as it is with abuses, the world is indebted for all the triumphs which have been gained by reason and humanity, over error and oppression.

We find traditions of liberty, rationality, and tolerance in the rich histories of pre-Islamic and Islamic societies. These values do not belong to the West or the East; they are the common moral heritage of humankind.

It is man's vision of a world fit for rational, civilized humanity which leads him to dare and to suffer to build societies free from want and fear. Concepts such as truth, justice and compassion cannot be dismissed as trite when these are often the only bulwarks which stand against ruthless power.

Compassion, hope, and opportunity are some of the most fundamentally American values that we should fight like hell to protect.

What for centuries raised man above the beast is not the cudgel but the irresistible power of unarmed truth.

The minds of men are at last aroused; reason looks out and justifies her own, and malice finds all her work is ruin.

However, we all share the firm belief in the triumph of humanist and progressive values that mankind has achieved during its long history of struggle and creativeness.

It takes no compromising to give people their rights. It takes no money to respect the individual. It takes no survey to remove repressions.

We do believe that freedom, the right to choose, the right to vote, respect and justice is the fundamental right of all people. All people must obtain these rights.

Set religion free, and a new humanity will begin.

This is not a contest between persons. The humblest citizen in all the land, when clad in the armor of a righteous cause, is stronger than all the hosts of error. I come to you in defense of a cause as holy as the cause of liberty - the cause of humanity.

Freedom is not enough.

We shall all respect the principles of each other and do nothing that would be regarded as an act of oppression to any portion of the people.

I have always held those political opinions which point to the universal brotherhood of man, no matter in what rank of life he may have taken his origin.

Nothing has been purchased more dearly than the little bit of reason and sense of freedom which now constitutes our pride.

To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.

Voltaire lighted a torch and gave to others the sacred flame. The light still shines and will as long as man loves liberty and seeks for truth.

Before anything else, we need a new age of Enlightenment. Our present political systems must relinquish their claims on truth, justice and freedom and have to replace them with the search for truth, justice, freedom and reason.

Look back, to slavery, to suffrage, to integration and one thing is clear. Fashions in bigotry come and go. The right thing lasts.

Our freer, but yet far from freed, land is the asylum, if asylum there be, for the hope of man.

Up you mighty race. You can accomplish what you will! Build your future on these foundations: Freedom, Justice and Equality.

There is no true freedom where life is not welcomed and loved; and there is no fullness of life except in freedom.

We talk about democracy and human rights. Iraqis talk about justice and honor.

I hold no views which any conservative citizen might not entertain on slavery...trading slaves is against humanity, unjust, and impolitic.