Jefferson by the Moment

"The Beauty of a motto is to condense much matter in as few words as possible."

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:32:19 -0500

“The Beauty of a motto is to condense much matter in as few words as possible.”

- To George Wythe. August 13, 1786.

Thomas Jefferson, 'Founding Foodie'

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 11:27:14 -0500

By Marian Burros

Thomas Jefferson’s take on agriculture sounds remarkably like the 1800s version of Wendell Berry, with a little bit of Alice Waters thrown in.

“All the stuff Jefferson was doing at Monticello is just having a rebirth now,” said David DeWitt, a food historian and the author of “Founding Foodies: How Washington, Jefferson and Franklin Revolutionized American Food” (Sourcebooks, 2010). Read more

"I give more time to exercise of the body than of the mind, believing it wholesome to both."

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 08:39:44 -0500

“I give more time to exercise of the body than of the mind, believing it wholesome to both.”

- To David Howell. December 15, 1810.

"When wafting on the bosom of the ocean I shall pray it to be as calm and smooth as yours to me."

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:29:23 -0500

“When wafting on the bosom of the ocean I shall pray it to be as calm and smooth as yours to me.”

- To Maria Cosway. May 21, 1789.

fuckyeahjefferson: thedailyshowheadlines: Yes, [online...

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:24:12 -0500

fuckyeahjefferson:

thedailyshowheadlines:

Yes, [online government petitions to the White House] was the grandest experiment in direct democracy since Jefferson’s scheme to allow every American to suggest policy via carrier pigeons was discontinued for hygienic reasons…

Thursday, 17 January 2013

Oh Daily Show…

This isn’t too far from the truth. Mr J loved birds and had one with most the time while in the white house. It is said that he fed it from his mouth sometimes.

"Knowledge indeed is a desirable, a lovely possession."

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 08:34:31 -0500

“Knowledge indeed is a desirable, a lovely possession.”

- To Thomas Mann Randolph Jr. August 27, 1786.

"Books, really good, acquire just reputation in that time, & so become known to us &..."

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 08:10:09 -0500

“Books, really good, acquire just reputation in that time, & so become known to us & communicate to us all their advances in knowledge.”

- To Charles Bellini. September 30, 1785.

"I am never happier than when I commit myself into dialogue with you, though it be in my imagination."

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 08:32:27 -0500

“I am never happier than when I commit myself into dialogue with you, though it be in my imagination.”

- To Maria Cosway. November 29, 1786.

incorporeus: Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 17:55:32 -0500

incorporeus:

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

"Laws made by common Consent must not be trampled on by Individuals."

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:30:00 -0500

“Laws made by common Consent must not be trampled on by Individuals.”

- To Garret Van Meter. April 27, 1781.

ariel2me: Lounging on furniture Jefferson chills like a boss.

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 12:27:48 -0500

ariel2me:

Lounging on furniture

Jefferson chills like a boss.

"I am a friend to the reformation generally of whatever can be made better."

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 09:17:51 -0500

“I am a friend to the reformation generally of whatever can be made better.”

- To John Wilson. August 17, 1813.

"When conversing with Marshall, I never admit anything. So sure as you admit any position to be good,..."

Tue, 15 Jan 2013 21:21:03 -0500

“When conversing with Marshall, I never admit anything. So sure as you admit any position to be good, no matter how remote from the conclusion he seeks to establish, you are gone. So great is his sophistry you must never give him an affirmative answer or you will be forced to grant his conclusion. Why, if he were to ask me if it were daylight or not, I’d reply, ‘Sir, I don’t know, I can’t tell.’”

- Thomas Jefferson on John Marshall (via ceyths)

"The boisterous sea of liberty indeed is never without a wave."

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:12:29 -0500

“The boisterous sea of liberty indeed is never without a wave.”

- To the Marquis de Lafayette. December 26, 1820.

"Let me describe to you a man, not yet forty, tall, and with a mild and pleasing countenance, but..."

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:58:21 -0500

“Let me describe to you a man, not yet forty, tall, and with a mild and pleasing countenance, but whose mind and understanding are ample substitutes for every exterior grace. An American, who without ever having quitted his own country, is at once a musician, skilled in drawing; a geometrician, an astronomer, a natural philosopher, legislator, and statesmen…a philosopher, in voluntary retirement, from the world, and public business, inasmuch as he can flatter himself with being useful to mankind.”

- The Marquis de Chastellux describing Thomas Jefferson.

Monticello, so beautiful and splendid.

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:07:32 -0500

Monticello, so beautiful and splendid.

This excited son of gun...

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 08:44:39 -0500

is taking a road trip to Monticello today. HUZAH!!!

"As for France & England, with all their preeminence in science, the one is a den of robbers,..."

Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:44:01 -0500

“As for France & England, with all their preeminence in science, the one is a den of robbers, & the other of pirates.”

- To John Adams. January 21, 1812.

"Frenchmen have as much happiness in one year as Englishmen in ten."

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 09:40:09 -0500

“Frenchmen have as much happiness in one year as Englishmen in ten.”

- To Abigail Adams. August 9,1786.

"Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most..."

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 09:51:30 -0500

“Cultivators of the earth are the most valuable citizens. They are the most vigorous, the most independent, the most virtuous, & they are tied to their country & wedded to its liberty & interests by the most lasting bands.”

- To John Jay. August 23, 1785.