On The Right to Sell

"The right to sell is one of the rights of property.  To forbid you the exercise of that right would be wrong to your nation."

Jefferson quote source: To Brother Handsome Lake. Washington, November 3, 1802.

On Taxes. Estate, Death, and Otherwise

"When a man has enclosed and improved his farm, builds a good house on it and raised plentiful stocks of animals, he will wish when he dies that these things shall go to his wife and children, whom he loves more than he does his other relations, and for whom he will work with pleasure during his life.  You will, therefore, find it necessary to establish laws for this.
When a man has property, earned by his own labor, he will not like to see another come and take it from him because he happens to be stronger, or else to defend it by spilling blood."

Jefferson quote source: To the Chiefs of the Cherokee Nation.  Washington, January 10, 1806.

On Why They Didn't Free The Slaves

"But they saw that the moment of doing it with success was not yet arrived, and that an unsuccessful effort, as too often happens, would only rivet still closer the chains of bondage, and retard the moment of delivery to this oppressed description of men."

Jefferson quote source: Answers to Demeunier's Queries. June 26, 1786

On Standing Armies

"There shall be no standing army but in time of actual war."

Jefferson quote source: Draft Constitution for Virginia, 1776, IV Rights, Private and Public.