"In truth, politeness is artificial good humor, it covers the natural want of it, and ends by rendering habitual a substitute nearly equivalent to the real virtue."

Wisdom

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Insight & Reflection

The theme of wisdom is universal, yet Thomas Jefferson manages to capture its essence in a uniquely profound way. Taking a moment to internalize this can shift our mindset, reminding us that our perspective on wisdom often shapes our reality.

About Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson was a Founding Father and the third president of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809. From 1797 to 1801, he served as the second vice president under John Adams. A prolific writer and philosopher, Jefferson was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. His political philosophy, defined by republicanism, individual liberty, agrarianism, and limited government, formed the basis for Jeffersonian democracy. While he remains celebrated as an icon of American political values, Jefferson is also controversial for having enslaved more than 600 people.

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Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by Thomas Jefferson

"It is a subtle truth that the moral compass points true only when freed from the magnetism of personal gain — an essential principle for the reflective life."

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More about Wisdom

"Time is the most impartial judge; it reveals all pretenses and rewards all patience. In this truth lies the bedrock of all virtue."

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