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Title: Thomas Jefferson on "opinions" Post by jon019 on Dec 18th, 2006, 11:58pm “I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent.” “Man once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind.” "Difference of opinion leads to enquiry, and enquiry to truth; and that, I am sure, is the ultimate and sincere object of us both. We both value too much the freedom of opinion sanctioned by our Constitution, not to cherish its exercise even where in opposition to ourselves." "Nothing but good can result from an exchange of information and opinions between those whose circumstances and morals admit no doubt of the integrity of their views." "In every country where man is free to think and to speak, differences of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason; but these differences when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently and leaving our horizon more bright and serene." "Error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it." "I have learned to be less confident in the conclusions of human reason, and give more credit to the honesty of contrary opinions." "It is a singular anxiety which some people have that we should all think alike. Would the world be more beautiful were all our faces alike? were our tempers, our talents, our tastes, our forms, our wishes, aversions and pursuits cast exactly in the same mould? If no varieties existed in the animal, vegetable or mineral creation, but all moved strictly uniform, catholic and orthodox, what a world of physical and moral monotony would it be!" "Every difference of opinion is not a difference of principle." "He alone who walks strict and upright, and who, in matters of opinion, will be contented that others should be as free as himself and acquiesce when his opinion is freely overruled, will attain his object in the end." “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.” "The man who fears no truths has nothing to fear from lies." “He who receives ideas from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine receives light without darkening me” “He who knows best knows how little he knows”. AND, my favorite Jefferson quote, thrown in because, hey, I like it, and it’s my post. “If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.” Regards, Jon |
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