I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
Politicians
Thomas Jefferson
Third U.S. president (1743-1826) and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. He wrote "all men are created equal" while owning more than 600 enslaved people over his lifetime and fathering at least six children with Sally Hemings, an enslaved teenager in his household. As secretary of state, vice president, and president he authored the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, doubled the country's territory through the Louisiana Purchase, dispatched the Lewis and Clark expedition, and founded the University of Virginia. He died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of independence, only hours before his lifelong rival and friend John Adams.
View this figure's profile
Thomas Jefferson's Other Quotes
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever.
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.
I cannot live without books.
Related Quotes
When I, Constantine Augustus, and I, Licinius Augustus, fortunately met at Milan... we resolved to grant both to Christians and to all men the freedom to follow whatever religion each one wished.
-- Constantine the Great
Believe.
-- Constantine the Great
Letter to Don Juan of Austria: Procure the destruction of this Turkish fleet with the greatest possible speed.
-- Philip II of Spain
If you start throwing hedgehogs under me, I shall throw a couple of porcupines under you.
-- Nikita Khrushchev
By the Queen.
-- Margaret of Anjou
Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth.
-- George Washington