Thomas Jefferson: Thought Worth

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying emotional comfort has more value to us than does cash if choosing between the two. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson valued inner warmth, contentment and meaningful thoughts more highly than financial wealth. By saying a “warm thought” is worth more to him than money, Jefferson appears to be placing importance on qualities of the mind, heart and spirit over material possessions.

The quote implies that true happiness and life satisfaction come from cultivating positivity, connection with others, appreciation for life’s blessings and intellectual stimulation – not from the accumulation of currency alone.

Jefferson seems to be conveying that inner riches like compassion, creativity and wisdom are far more significant than any amount of money could provide. Overall, the message is that wealth of the soul greatly surpasses wealth in dollars or possessions.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson: Common Stock Labor

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying we are given land to labor over to produce food and shelter. Small plots and their owners are important to government. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“The earth is given as a common stock for man to labor and live on. The small landowners are the most precious part of a state” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote from Thomas Jefferson expresses the view that the land and natural resources of a country are meant to be used productively by all people, not monopolized by a few. By saying the earth is “given as a common stock”, Jefferson seemed to believe that everyone has an equal right to farm, work and sustain themselves from the land.

Additionally, he calls “small landowners” the “most precious part of a state”, implying that widespread property ownership and independent farming are important for a healthy, prosperous society.

The quote conveys Jefferson’s democratic and agrarian ideals, with an emphasis on distributing land access and economic opportunity as broadly as possible among ordinary citizens, not concentrating it in the hands of a small elite.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson: Unemployed Uncultivated

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying productive land and unproductive poor people should never exist in the same country. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“Whenever there are in any country uncultivated lands and unemployed poor, it is clear that the laws of property have been so far extended as to violate natural right” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson believed property laws should have natural limits in order to avoid violating people’s basic rights. He appears to be arguing that if a country has unemployed poor people and uncultivated land at the same time, it means property ownership has been defined too broadly, beyond what is justified by natural law.

Jefferson seems to be implying that in such a scenario, allowing some access to unused land by those without work would be in accordance with natural rights. The quote conveys Jefferson’s view that extreme inequality of land ownership could infringe on people’s natural right to access resources and property to provide for themselves.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson: Earn First, Then Spend

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying With expectations of money comes the urge to spend before cash is received. Wait until money is in hand. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“Never spend your money before you have earned it” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote from Thomas Jefferson advises against taking on financial obligations like debt before having the income to support them. He seems to be encouraging people to live within or below their means by only spending money they’ve already earned through work, investments or other revenue sources.

The implication is that spending in advance of earning sets one up for potential money problems down the road if expenses aren’t covered by present or future cash flow.

Overall, the quote suggests it’s prudent to avoid debt or other long-term financial commitments unless and until sufficient funds have been accumulated, as a way to help maintain fiscal responsibility and stability over time.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson: Civilized Commerce

Thomas Jefferson Money Quotation saying we transact and trade with finance and not with superior morals. Thomas Jefferson said:
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“Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson believed commercial dealings between nations were driven primarily by financial interests rather than moral concerns. He appears to be making the observation that in practice, “civilized nations” prioritized making money through trade and economic partnerships over other considerations like human rights, ethics or social impacts.

Jefferson seems to have felt that moral standards often took a backseat to the goal of profit or monetary gain when countries interacted and conducted business with each other. The quote provides an insight into Jefferson’s perspective that pragmatic monetary priorities tended to outweigh principles of morality in international commerce.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson on Paper Money Abuses

Thomas Jefferson Money Quote saying risks and abuses of currency are inevitable. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“That paper money has some advantages, is admitted. But that its abuses also are inevitable, and, by breaking up the measure of value, makes a lottery of all private property, cannot be denied” — Thomas Jefferson

This money quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson acknowledged paper money (or fiat currency not backed by gold/silver reserves) had certain benefits. However, he also believed that abuse and mismanagement of paper currency systems were inevitable due to their instability.

Jefferson appears to be arguing that when the value of money fluctuates unpredictably as the “measure of value” changes, it undermines people’s ability to reliably assess the worth of private property and financial assets. He seems to view such instability as essentially turning every person’s wealth into a random “lottery” over which they have no control.

The quote conveys Jefferson’s skepticism of paper money due to the risks he felt it posed to the security of private property ownership and overall economic certainty.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson: Accumulating Debt

Thomas Jefferson Money Quotation saying the creation of debt as a means to accumulate possessions creates an endless stream of owing and owning only crushing burdens. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“The modern theory of the perpetuation of debt has drenched the earth with blood, and crushed its inhabitants under burdens ever accumulating” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson was critical of the idea that government or national debt could or should be perpetually maintained and increased. He seems to believe this “modern theory” of endless debt accumulation had led directly to immense bloodshed and suffering around the world.

Jefferson appears to be arguing that allowing debt burdens to grow indefinitely will crush societies under the weight of ever-mounting financial obligations. The quote conveys Jefferson’s view that perpetual or rising debt poses serious risks and consequences, potentially even sparking wars and human costs if not managed responsibly.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826

Thomas Jefferson on Gain of Commerce

Thomas Jefferson Money Quotation saying there are no higher goals or purpose for business beyond financial growth and suggests it add goals for humanity. Thomas Jefferson said:
 

 

“The selfish spirit of commerce knows no country, and feels no passion or principle but that of gain” — Thomas Jefferson

This quote suggests that Thomas Jefferson believed commerce and business tend to be guided primarily by self-interest and the pursuit of profit, rather than other loyalties or values. He appears to be saying that commercial enterprises are motivated mainly by the goal of financial gain above all else, with no real allegiance to any particular country or other principles.

Jefferson seems to have viewed the “selfish spirit of commerce” as prioritizing earnings and returns over nationality, ethics or other considerations. The quote conveys Jefferson’s perspective that economic or trade interests are largely driven by seeking monetary rewards with few other attachments or influences.

Birthday: April 13, 1743 – Death: July 4, 1826