On Courtiers (Lobbyists)

"A slight acquaintance with them will suffice to show you that, under the most imposing exterior, they are the weakest and worst part of mankind."

Jefferson quote source: Travelling notes for Mr. Rutledge and Mr. Shippen. June 3, 1788.

On The Central Bank (Now known as the Federal Reserve)

"Hamilton's financial system had then past.  It had two objects. 1st as a puzzle, to exclude popular understanding & inquiry.  2dly, as a machine for the corruption of the legislature."

Jefferson quote source: The Anas. 1791-1806. February 4, 1818.

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 Life and Error

"Error is the stuff of which the web of life is woven and he who lives longest and wisest is only able to weave out the more of it."

Jefferson quote source:  Thoughts on English Prosidy: To Chastellux. October 1786.

On The Inconveniences of Small Government

"It has been said too that our governments both federal and particular want energy; that it is difficult to restrain both individuals & states from committing wrong.  This is true, & it is an inconvenience.  On the other hand that energy which absolute governments derive from an armed force, which is the effect of the bayonet constantly held at the breast of every citizen, and which resembles very much the stillness of the grave, must be admitted also to have it's inconveniences.  We weight the two together, and like best to submit to the former.   

Compare the number of wrongs committed with impunity by citizens among us, with those committed by the sovereign in other countries, and the last will be found most numerous, most oppressive on the mind, and most degrading of the dignity of man."

(Emphasis added by Double Birds)

Jefferson quote source: Answers to Demeunier's Queries. January 24, 1786

On The Hypocrisy of The Revolution

"What a stupendous, what an incomprehensible machine is man! who can endure toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment & death itself in vindication of his own liberty, and the next moment be deaf to all those motives whose power supported him thro' his trial, and inflict on his fellow men a bondage, one hour of which is fraught with more misery than ages of that which he rose in rebellion to oppose."

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