Quote by Thomas Jefferson

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.

The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only

Summary

This quote, often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, highlights the concept of individual freedom and limited government interference. It states that the authority of a government should only extend to actions that cause harm to others. The quote emphasizes that personal beliefs and expressions, such as differing religious beliefs, do not pose any direct harm to others. Therefore, governments should not restrict or regulate these individual liberties, as they do not infringe upon the rights or well-being of others. It underscores the importance of respecting and protecting individual freedoms in a society.

Topics

Religion Atheism Philosophy

By Thomas Jefferson

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