Quote:
Originally Posted by painter
From your link
The following statement, or variations thereof, is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson:
"A government big enough to give you everything you need, is a government big enough to take away everything that you have...."
We have never found such a statement in Jefferson's writings. AS FAR AS WE KNOW....
I agree with you. Many quotes by political leaders have been used and abused by many. A professor of mine gave a lecture years ago about Jefferson and a handbook he distributed contained Jefferson quotes.
Not all of Jeffersons writings have been documented. As my link describes.
What we have here is a difference of opinion. The quote will stand as my signature with a minor adjustment... until such time as I am able to find my handbook with perhaps more information.
I'm a woman in here to express my opinions as everyone else.
|
It does not appear in any of Jefferson's writings or letters. That is OK though, most of the quotes in the Jefferson Memorial are cobbled together crap from his prolific writings and publications to make him the "good Christian" that he wasn't.
example:
Panel two:
"Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens...are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion...No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively."
The original Jefferson quote:
"Well aware that the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will, but follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds; that Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishments, or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion..." - "A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom", Section I.
Big differences between the meaning of the two quotes; wouldn't you say.