As one of the Founding Fathers and principal author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson is one of the men who shaped America and made it what it is today. He later went on to become the third president of the United States. As such a successful and influential man, Thomas Jefferson had some incredibly inspiring quotes which are still relevant to this day.
We have created this list of 15 inspiring Thomas Jefferson quotes to give you your daily dose of inspiration and a boost of positivity today. We hope that you enjoy these Thomas Jefferson quotes and we would love to hear your thoughts on them in the comments section below this article. And f you enjoy any of these quotes in particular, please be sure to share them with your friends.
Inspiring Thomas Jefferson Quotes
1. “I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it” ― Thomas Jefferson
Of all Thomas Jefferson quotes, this is one to be debated. Do you believe success is a result of luck or is it a result of hard work? Perhaps it’s a mixture of the two. However, that is what this quote is saying.
Many people believe that successful people or rich people are just lucky. However, in most cases, those people have worked hard for years to get to that point. Meaning it isn’t luck that got them there, but hard word every day. Some people overlook that and just assume that people got lucky. However, that’s not always the case and it is important to remember that you don’t know what’s happened in someone’s life up to that point.
2. “Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time, who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done, if we are always doing.” ― Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson
Think of all of the things that you could achieve if you were constantly doing things. We have so much time in our days and we should be sure to fill this time up doing things that we love and things that would give us a better future.
We all only live once, so why would you sit around and waste your life? Thomas Jefferson quotes insist that instead, we should all get up, get out and do things. Experience life while you’re young enough and able enough to do so. Try new things and make the best of your life. Don’t waste a second of it, because you never know when your time is up.
3. “I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage with my books, my family and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give.” ― Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson
Sometimes the simplest of things are the best things in life. Money can buy great things, however, do you believe that money can buy you happiness?
As noted by Thomas Jefferson quotes, true happiness lies in the simple things. Things like spending time with your family and friends. Eating food surrounded by the people you love, and just getting a bit of time away from home in a quiet place. These are all great things that can lead to happiness just as much as something expensive could. Happiness lies within and life really is what you make it.
4. “Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.”― Thomas Jefferson
Life is all about setting yourself goals and then working hard until you achieve those goals. It’s all about having the right mental attitude in order to achieve.
If you set your mind to something, it’s important to work hard until you achieve that goal. Be sure to have the right mindset in order to achieve things. Life is all about setting yourself goals and then crushing them. Be a go-getter, because we all only live once. Keep that in your mindset on your journey to achieving great things. If you really put your mind to things, then there really isn’t anything you can’t achieve.
5. “I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.”― Thomas Jefferson
When was the last time you did something good for someone or helped someone out? How did it make you feel? Chances are it made you feel great. It is human nature to feel good whenever we do something great for someone else.
If we spend our lives making other people feel good, then we will ultimately feel good all the time too. Knowing that you have made someone else’s life better in some way is one of the most rewarding feelings in the world. So with that in mind, go out and do something good for someone today. Not only will you make their day, but you’ll make yours too.
6. “Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.” ― Thomas Jefferson
It doesn’t matter where we come from or who we are, we all have the opportunity to be happy. It’s all within your mind. If you believe in yourself and believe in happiness, then any person can be just as happy as another person, despite their background.
Thomas Jefferson quotes remind us that if we have a healthy mind, good mental health, good physical health, a good job and plenty of freedom, then there really isn’t any reason for us to be unhappy. Any person can attain these things. It’s about looking at ways to improve our lives, and this will lead to ultimate happiness.
7. “Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.”― Thomas Jefferson
Walking isn’t only good for your physical health, it’s also good for your mental health. When we walk, we relive our bodies of stress and give our minds time to think about all of the things that we need to think about. If you’re currently under a lot of stress and have a lot on your mind, a walk is a great way to gather your thoughts and clear your mind.
Walking is also a great way to become one with nature. Nature is truly beautiful. Try taking a walk in a lovely park or along a river. You never know what great things you might find along the way.
8. “Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”― Thomas Jefferson
The only way we can determine who we really are is by doing things. In order to become yourself, you must try new things and have new experiences. This is the only way you will be able to find out what you like. It is the things you like and the things you take part in that define you as a person.
By taking action in doing things, you can define who you are as a person. We are all different, and we all like different things and have different interests. However, the only way that you can find out these things is by trying new things and taking part in new experiences.
9. “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”― Thomas Jefferson
It is always fun to dream about our future. Without dreams, we would have nothing great to work towards. We should always set ourselves goals and dreams in life to give our lives meaning.
There’s no point thinking about and mourning things that have happened in our past, because they are just that – they are in the past. The best thing we can do in life is leave our past behind us and focus on creating a better future for ourselves. Find something to look forward to and then work hard towards that.
10. “Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.”― Thomas Jefferson
Honesty really is the best policy. If you want to keep up good relationships with people then you must practice honesty in everything that you do. Very relationship you have should be based on honesty.
If you choose to lie to people, you will find that it always comes back around eventually and more often than not, you will get found out. The best course of action to avoid this is to be honest with everyone you meet and to be honest in every thing that you do.
11. “But friendship is precious, not only in the shade but in the sunshine of life; and thanks to a benevolent arrangement of things, the greater part of life is sunshine. I will recur for proof to the days we have lately passed. On these indeed the sun shone brightly.” ― Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson quotes attest that friendship is one of the most precious things in the world. Your friends are the people you go to when you need advice or when you’re feeling upset and they’re always there to comfort you.
When the sun is shining and we re surrounded by our friends, these truly are the best times. Make sure you show your friends how much they mean to you. Show gratitude towards them today and make sure you show your friends that you appreciate everything they do for you.
12. “The equal rights of man, and the happiness of every individual, are now acknowledged to be the only legitimate objects of government.” ― Thomas Jefferson, Letters of Thomas Jefferson
This is what every government should aim for – the equal rights of every person and for every person under that government to be happy. Thomas Jefferson quotes put this into perspective for us.
It is important that every person on this earth feels that they are equal to every other person. We are all born in the same way and so we all deserve to have equal rights no matter who we are or where we have come from. Happiness should also be a big priority because happy people are good people.
13. “Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.” ― Thomas Jefferson
We all only get one shot at life so it is extremely important that we savour every moment and make use of all the free time we have. Time is important, and it’s important not to waste any of it because you never know when your time is up.
Always be sure to use your time wisely. Use your free time to learn new things, try new things or take part in new experiences. When you find that you have a bit of free time, use it. Do something exciting and rewarding. Never waste a moment, because time is incredibly precious.
14. “If you want something you’ve never hadYou must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” ― Thomas Jefferson
You cannot expect to achieve anything or gain anything without doing something first. In order to progress in life and attain things, we must first take action.
If you want to attain something that you have never had before, or if you want to experience something that you never have before, then you need to get up and do something about it. Life will never just throw those things your way because that’s not how life works. In order to get things, you must take action towards getting those things.
15. “Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.” ― Thomas Jefferson
This is completely true because no person on this earth is perfect, nor can they be expected to be. We are all imperfect in our own way and that’s just the way life is. Nobody is perfect because everyone’s perception of perfect is different. We can never please everyone, as these Thomas Jefferson quotes tell us.
With this in mind, it is important to love people for all of the goodness in them, despite any imperfections that you may find within them. Every person on this earth is different and there is something good in everyone. Seek this part of a person out and love them for all that is good within them.
A Bit About Thomas Jefferson quotes
Thomas Jefferson quotes are incredibly inspiring and motivating. He was such an inspiring and motivational man and his quotes reflect his greatness. Inspirational quotes are great to read every day to give you a boost of positivity and make you happy. Reading inspiring Thomas Jefferson quotes on a daily basis can be great for your mental health and can make you an overall more positive and happy person.
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson was an American Founding Father who was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence, a document which inspires democracies around the world. He then later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He also purchased the Louisiana Territory from France in 1803 which doubled the size of America and equates to fifteen of today’s US states. Thomas Jefferson is so influential, that the is also one of the four influential presidents that were carved in Mount Rushmore. With these accomplishments, it’s no surprise that we still look to Thomas Jefferson quotes for valuable insight.
What is Thomas Jefferson best known for?
Thomas Jefferson is best known for being one of the most influential men in US history, hence the reason we love Thomas Jefferson quotes so much. His time as president was a big milestone in US history. He was also the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence, a true founding document that is crucial to US history and made America what it is today. He also brought in up to fifteen new states by purchasing the extra land, making America a greater country and adding to its mass. Thomas Jefferson was one of the primary influencers of US history and truly made America a great country.
What can we glean from Thomas Jefferson quotes?
These Thomas Jefferson quotes that we have chosen for our list are all very inspiring, motivating and positive quotes. These quotes are filled with wisdom and should inspire you to be a better person and to achieve more. We hope that you enjoy our list of Thomas Jefferson quotes.
We hope that this list of Thomas Jefferson quotes inspired you in some way today.
Did you enjoy this list of Thomas Jefferson quotes? Perhaps you know some Thomas Jefferson quotes of your own that you think should be on this list? Or maybe you have some stories about Thomas Jefferson or the way he has influenced you that you would like to share with us? We would love to hear them! Please leave a comment in the comment section below this article.
If you enjoyed this article of Thomas Jefferson quotes or know someone who may benefit from reading it then please be sure to give it a share!
Related Article: 10 Amazing American Dream Quotes and Sayings
Martha lives in the Bay Area and is a dedicated reader of romance novels. She runs a yoga studio and taught yoga for many years. She always says that yoga fuels her writing. She’s also a vegetarian and advocate for living a healthy life. Martha has been writing for us for a while now, giving readers a glimpse into her lifestyle and work.
Leave a Reply