Quote #198
We have the wolf by the ears, and we can neither hold him nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, self-preservation in the other.
More from Thomas Jefferson
- The acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching, and will give us the experien…
- War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.
- I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of the society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough t…
- Truth will do well enough if left to shift for herself ... She has no need of force to procure entrance into the minds of men.
- Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.
- A little revolution now and then is a good thing; the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and ty…
- Let those flatter, who fear: it is not an American art.
- I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past,-so good night!