"Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing."

Time

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Insight & Reflection

This reflection on time by Thomas Jefferson resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in time is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

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

"Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?"

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