Thomas Jefferson Quote 

"It is error alone which needs the support of government.
Truth can stand by itself."

by:
Thomas Jefferson
(1743-1826), US Founding Father, drafted the Declaration of Independence, 3rd US President
Source:
Notes on the State of Virginia, 1782
Categories:
 
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Reader comments about this quote:
I give it a five for humour and a thumbs down for lack of seriousness. Most of us know the confusion caused by committees or group think, it is everywhere not just in government. Speaking of humour Archer says we or at least he is subject to being controllled by government controllers, Mike from Norwalk says the problem with America is that people have too many opinions which equates to lack of control or freedom. So thanks for the laugh guys.
 -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas		 
Five for humor and thumbs down for lack of seriousness ?? Does that make a lick of sense ? Well actually, no.
 -- jim k, austin		 
Jim don't you think things can be funny but not serious?
 -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas		 
I'm not sure he's not being serious. Government has been known to engage in cover ups of minor crimes, mistakes, or incompetence, i.e. the error is supported by the government, and as has been often said, it is the cover up that gets people sent to prison.
 -- Ken, Allyn, WA		 
So what Waffler is saying is that the Truth cannot stand by itself and indeed needs to be propped up by government. Oh, I see, that makes a lot of sense. I guess ol' Tom's 'Notes on Virginia' was a comedy piece. Yeah, he was a real comedian. Waffler, let it go -- you didn't get the responses you wanted from your previous comments to other quotes and now you try and drag a bogus argument here. You know very well that neither Mike nor I said what you imply. And as far as 'group think' goes, you are the master.
 -- E Archer, NYC		 
Archer you said we are controlled by controllers. The sentence should read: Mike said the problem with America is too many opinions. It would appear that he wants more control over peoples freedom to have opinons. It sounds like you and he should be fighting over whether or not we need more controllers over peoples opinions or less.
 -- Waffler, Smith, Arkansas		 
5 for the quote. Waffler, great job of taking out of context. The reference to opinions was in place of truth. Political correctness (shallow opinions - lies, half truths, mis-direction despotism, unlawful aspirations, non-substantive rhetoric, etc.) has replaced truth, humor, history, human nature, etc.
 -- Mike, Norwalk		 
It seems every few months it becomes necessary to remind our commentators to keep their comments to the current quote. We also ask that no one person attempt to dilute the comments with 2 to 3 posts for every 1 of another's posts. And please do not post under different aliases. We welcome intelligent debate especially when it stays on topic. Off-topic comments without ratings are removed. Thank you, Eric Schaub,
 -- Editor, Liberty Quotes		 
Editor, I thought I tied the comment back into the subject quote quite nicely. :-) thanks!
 -- Mike, Norwalk		 
The point being made here is that the lie cannot stand the test of time. It will fall eventually. As in the Earth is flat, or the Earth is the center or the universe, and so on. It needs to be propped up by committee, board, or government. Some controlling body that has some vested interest in the lie. But the truth will stand on it's own merit. It will stand the test of time.
 -- Ken, Milford Pa		 
 -- warren, olathe 
Jefferson is talking about not respecting the establishment of religion under government law. "Reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments" (NSV, 1782). Suffer under no tyranny on the mind of man (para). The government was not established to hold sway over an Individual's idea of The Truth. Only that they be the governing body over how we all choose/accept/declare persuasion under The Law. All men are created equal under God. We are allowed to create a system of laws concerning what we are doing wrong. Our laws declare injustice and retribution. God is justice and resolution. This guy was the third President of the United States. He owned slaves simply because he had a bunch of land. I'm just throwing these out there. Not trying to catch anything. Thanks.
 -- Chris, Blacksburg		 
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