Quotes Library

July 4, 2025

A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), American Democratic-Republican politician, president, letter to James Madison, 30 January 1787, Jay p.191

In respect of what current issue would a little rebellion do some good?

It is unfortunate, but understandable that every government of men or women will sooner or later overstep its brief. The threat of rebellion (or just a lot of noisy demonstrations) in response is what keeps governments in line, and if fear of that is not sufficient, there is always the courts. But that depends on the jurisdiction.


More Quotes

November 12, 2025
Humming, Hawing and Hesitation are the three Graces of contemporary Parliamentary oratory.
January 21, 2025
The quality of legislation passed to deal with a problem is inversely proportional to the volume of media clamor that brought it on.
August 3, 2025
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly, is to fill the world with fools.
Page 22 of 122