I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Natural leaders exist based on virtue and talent, not birth or wealth.
- In plain terms
- Some people lead naturally because they are skilled and good, not because of family.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize merit over birth when choosing leaders.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who earns your respect?
- What makes a true leader?
Another view
Virtue and talent are hard to measure objectively.
More from Thomas Jefferson
Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus. He who follows this steadi…
Permalink to quote #64 History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance of which their…
Permalink to quote #66 He who steadily observes the moral precepts in which all religions concur, will never be questioned at the gates of heaven as to the dogmas in which they all d…
Permalink to quote #63
Related quotes
I have known a great number of men.... I have known none who seemed more the whole man, none more finished a civilized product in all a man should be - in mode…
John P. DaviesJohn P. Davies quote #2 From my point of view, he can be called a remarkable man who stands out from those around him by the resourcefulness of his mind, and who knows how to be restr…
G. I. GurdjieffG. I. Gurdjieff quote #6 'Love without courage and wisdom is sentimentality, as with the ordinary church member. Courage without love and wisdom is foolhardiness, as with the ordinary …
Ammon HennesseyAmmon Hennessey quote #6