Thomas Jefferson Leadership
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)
Third American president (pictured right) , who wrote his epitaph just before he died on Independence Day, July
4, describing all he wanted to be remembered for:
- author of the Declaration of American Independence.
- the statute (i.e. law) of Virginia for religious freedom
- father (i.e. founder) of the University of Virginia.
For more detail see...
The American Declaration of
Independence in the History Highlights section.
Why was he a great
leader?
1. Vision and purpose
His future ideal for America was based on democratic federal government (with power to
each state), people’s rights (“life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”), and their
responsibilities.
“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance”, he said.
Jefferson's vision had a big influence on future American leaders like;
He particularly believed in:
- the sovereignty of the individual over the state.
- the freedom of the press, religion and thought.
His motto was “rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God”.
2. Integrity and charm
He was a good man, charming and well liked with great humility, tolerance compassion and honesty.
He lived by his ideals (see point 1) and tried unsuccessfully to abolish slavery.
His anti-slavery clause in the Declaration of Independence was removed by Congress.
3. Pragmatic
He was prepared to bend his principles a little to help America like his bargain purchase
of Louisiana from France.
4. Lifelong learner and thinker
He never stopped learning from:
- his experience
- constant reading (the philosophers Epicurus (pictured right top), John Locke (pictured right) and
Thomas Paine (pictured
right bottom) greatly influenced him)
- an interest in everything.
Jefferson was not only a politician but also a mathematician, a lawyer, philosopher, farmer, musician and
inventor.
He was an intellectual who loved thinking and reflecting to improve his knowledge.
He believed that education, information and freedom of thought were vital.
5. Communication
Jefferson (pictured right in 1805) had little contact with ordinary people
He rarely made speeches and disliked spoken argument.
But he managed to communicate to them his concern for their well-being through:
- his skilful use of the press.
- the pamphlets distributed by his campaign staff.
6. Political skill
He was a great politician because of:
- communication (see point 5).
- knowing when to act for maximum advantage.
- consulting people and gaining their support.
7. Foresight
He supported policies which looked to the future as well as the present.
As in his Declaration of Independence (pictured right - Jefferson is central in the red waistcoat), he preferred
dreams of the future to the history of the past.
8. Determination
He managed to overcome strong attacks from his political opponents and the tragedy of his wife’s death in
1782.
9. Peace of mind
He had a tranquillity which came from:
- dedication to his principles.
- a healthy mind (he recommended two hours exercise a day and an ‘early to bed, early
to rise’ policy).
Key quotes on learning and
wisdom
Almighty God has created the mind free (from the Virginian statute for religious freedom)
A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing.
Key quote on America
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness (from the
Declaration of
Independence)
Key quote on
success
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define
you.
Key quote on positive
thinking
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.
Key quotes on politics and government
Information is the currency of democracy (so, he said, Ignorance is the enemy of democracy)
The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest.
Government is the strongest of which every man feels a part.
“The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who
would not”.
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is
liberty.
Key quote on ethics
Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail.
Key quote on decision making
Delay is preferable to error.
Key quote on the past, present and future
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
Key quote on happiness
The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.
Note
Henry David
Thoreau (pictured right) said “Government is best which governs least”, but
there is no record of Jefferson saying it (although many people think he did).
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