They Don't Make 'Em Like This Any More

I just read this in an email, some quotes by Thomas Jefferson from 200+ years ago. I don't know if they are authentic but they sure as hell ring true. And for you Yankie-phobes, yes I know the quotes are US-centric, but looking around today I reckon they're applicable wherever you live. Sayeth he:

• When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.


• The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.


• It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.


• I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.


• My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.


• No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.


• The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. [Except when you're facing tanks and F/A-18s :]


• The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.


• I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered. The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.

(A note on this last one: A "Central" or "Reserve Bank" is still a bank.)

I think there's something in this for all of us.