Thomas Jefferson (1743 – 1826) was an American statesman, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. He later served as the third President of the United States from 1801 to 1809.

731. It is my rule never to take a side in any part in the quarrels of others, nor to inquire into them. I generally presume them to flow from the indulgence of too much passion on both sides, and always find that each party thinks all the wrong was in his adversary. These bickerings, which are always useless, embitter human life more than any other cause…”

732. Nothing gives one person so much advantage over another as to remain always cool and unruffled under all circumstances.

733. “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that don’t work.

734. Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.

735. I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

736. A great deal of love given to a few is better than a little to many.

737. Never spend your money before you have it.

448. I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.

449. Whenever you do a thing, act as if all the world were watching.

450. Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.

451. I sincerely believe... that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.

452. The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.

453. The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.

454. It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong.

455. The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.

191. Honest is the first chapter in the book of wisdom.

192. Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time.

193. Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.

194. I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.

195. Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.

196. I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend.

197. Never spend your money before you have earned it.

198. When angry count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.