Thomas Jefferson Quotes on Opinions (8 Quotes)

Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor - over each other.

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

In the fevered state of our country, no good can ever result from any attempt to set one of these fiery zealots to rights, either in fact or principle. They are determined as to the facts they will believe, and the opinions on which they will act. Get by them, therefore, as you would by an angry bull it is not for a man of sense to dispute the road with such an animal.

Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

In every country where man is free to think and to speak, difference of opinion will arise from difference of perception, and the imperfection of reason but these differences, when permitted, as in this happy country, to purify themselves by free discussion, are but as passing clouds overspreading our land transiently, and leaving our horizon more bright and serene.

To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves, is sinful and tyrannical.

If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, then and only then will truth, prevail over fanaticism

When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.