We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.
If we can but prevent the government from wasting the labours of the people, under the pretence of taking care of them, they must become happy.
Advertisements
Reblogged this on PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS and commented:
Great thoughts don’t die!
Immortal words indeed.
I just finished reading Jon Meacham’s Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power, a good book that gave me a deeper appreciation for that particular Founding Father. He was a man of philosophy and practical politics.
We once visited his home in Monticello. It was extremely inspiring visit. Many details showed what extraordinary person he was. Then
we saw the university in Charlottesville. He was a very good architect.