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About this quote

What does it mean?
Jefferson questions whether patriots should abandon a successful government due to theoretical fears about its energy.
In plain terms
Don't give up a working government just because you worry it might lack strength.
What can you take from it?
Practical success outweighs theoretical fears.

Where it applies

  • political debate
  • reform discussions
  • civic duty

Putting it to work

  • support stable institutions
  • evaluate practical results

Questions to consider

  • When is it right to change a system?
  • How do you weigh risk?

Another view

Sometimes fears about government energy are valid and warrant change.

More from Thomas Jefferson

  1. All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will, to be rightful, must be reasonab…

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  2. Sometimes it is said that man cannot be trusted with the government of himself. Can he, then, be trusted with the government of others? Or have we found angels…

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  3. We are all Republicans - we are all Federalists. If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this Union or to change its republican form, let them stan…

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