Reason and free enquiry are the only effectual agents against error. ... Reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments. To make way for these, free enquiry must be indulged; and how can we wish others to indulge it while we refuse it ourselves. [Query XVII, “Religion”]

The error seems not sufficiently eradicated, that the operations of the mind, as well as the acts of the body, are subjects to the coercion of the laws. But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we...

Reason and experiment have been indulged, and error has fled before them. It is error alone which needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself. [Query XVII, “Religion”]

I fancy it must be the quantity of animal food eaten by the English which renders their character insusceptible of civilisation. I suspect it is in their kitchens & not in their churches that their reformation must be worked, & that Missionaries of that description from hence would avail...

Jeudi 4 Fevrier 1790 j’avois bien raison Ma Chere quand je te disois que je Croyois que Curson seroit fort embarassée si j’acceptois son invitation. tu Sais qu’elle avoit fait une fausse Couche dans Le Mois de Septembre dernier à La fin d’octobre elle M’engagea donc si fort à L’aller voir que j...

après huit ans de Silence je recois donc enfin de Tes nouvelles Chere Jefferson tu ne Sauras jamais Le plaisir que j’ai Eprouvée En recevant La Lettre de Bruny qui Me parloit de toi, Et je ne sais trop même si je devrois te L’avouer Car Ces 8 années de silence Me pésent toujours sur Le Cœur....

the clergy, by getting themselves established by law, & ingrafted into the machine of government, have been a very formidable engine against the civil & religious rights of man.

Kindly separated by nature and a wide ocean from the exterminating havoc of one quarter of the globe; too high minded to endure the degradations of the others, possessing a chosen country, with room enough for our descendants to the thousandth and thousandth generation, entertaining a due sense...

Mr Jefferson, had been now about a Year a Member of Congress, but had attended his Duty in the House but a very Small part of the time and when there had never Spoken in public: and during the whole Time I Satt with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three Sentences together. The most of a...

Jesus embraced, with charity & philanthropy, our neighbors, our countrymen, & the whole family of mankind.

3. ... Mr Jefferson said that the Epicurean philosophy came nearest to the truth, in his opinion, of any antient system of philosophy—But that it had been misunderstood and misrepresented—He wished the work of Gassendi concerning it had been translated—It was the only accurate account of it...

we have solved, by fair experiment, the great & interesting question Whether freedom of religion is compatible with order in government, and obedience to the laws. & we have experienced the quiet as well as the comfort which results from leaving every one to profess freely & openly...