|
To live a successful and content life, perfect opportunities, self-confidence, determination, and guidance from successful minds are a few of the most necessary things. History is loaded with men and women whose lives are legendary examples for all of us to seek knowledge from. Today, in this article, we will see the Incredible Life of Thomas Jefferson at a Glance. He was one of the founding fathers of the United States. You can learn a great deal from his life.
Who Was Thomas Jefferson?
Thomas Jefferson holds immense significance in American history. Jefferson is primarily known as the writer of the Declaration of Independence of the United States. He was the first secretary of state from 1789 to 1794, second vice president from 1797 to 1801and third president from 1801 to 1809, of the United States. Jefferson also made the Louisiana Purchase possible. He is also regarded as the United States' "apostle of liberty". He wrote in a private letter, amidst burning party conflicts, “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”
Early Life and Education
Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in Albemarle County, Virginia, and inherited 5000 acres of plantation land from his father, Peter Jefferson. Jefferson enters the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg in 1760. He was obsessed with learning as he used to spend 15 hours daily with books. His teachers, William Small, and George Wythe particularly influenced his mind over time. read law from 1762 to 1767 and then started a practice representing small scale planters.
Marriage
Thomas Jefferson built himself a house in 1768 and named it Monticello. And later the same year, he applied for the candidacy of the House of Burgesses. The next important decision of Thomas Jefferson's life was getting married. He married Martha Wayles Skelton in 1772. She was a young, beautiful widow who came with a dowry twice the worth of Jefferson's land and slaves.
Rise in the Politics
His political timing was a big help in his career. He opposed the taxation policies of the Britain Parliament as he ventured into the Virginia legislature. His piece "A Summary View of the Rights of British America" earned him popularity outside Virginia and he became one of the earliest advocates for the American Independence. He was appointed as the delegate to the Second Continental Congress in 1775. And on his way to Philadelphia on June 20, 1775, Thomas Jefferson paved the way for the New America. On June 11, 1776, Thomas Jefferson was chosen to draft a statement on the justification of American Independence from Great Britain. And within a matter of just a few days, he drafted a major portion of this document. Following lines of this document are most heard in American history,
" We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. "
His writings replicated the sentiments of the majority of the Americans, and thus accepted widely. This document also describes a large portion of the Declaration of Independence. Congress editing the one-fifth portion of this draft after the debate.
Notes on the State of Virginia
Looking at the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance tells you that "Notes on the State of Virginia" is the only book, Thomas Jefferson had published in his life. And that particular book was on the still hot topics of Slavery and Racism. This book is a merge of philosophical meditation and travel guide. It depicts different aspects of slavery on both Whites and Blacks and he regarded slavery in violation of the American Revolution's core principles. Moreover, it beautifully depicts the vastness of religious freedom as he said, “it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." Thomas Jefferson succeeded minister Benjamin Franklin to France in the year 1785. Though this period was of not much significance to his political career, he learned a great deal about the French Revolution.
Becoming the Secretary of State
Thomas Jefferson became the first secretary of state of the United States in 1789, following the new Constitution. This period is mainly recognized as his opposition to the policies of Alexander Hamilton which he believed were pro-British. His major responsibility as the first secretary of state was on foreign policy. In response to Hamilton's version of neutrality, Jefferson favored pro-French neutrality. As in Jefferson's view, French -American treaty signed in 1778 and French support during the war of independence make America obliged to follow the French version of neutrality.
Becoming Vice President
He ran for the presidential candidacy for Democratic-Republican party in 1796, but lost to John Adams by just three electoral votes, and became the vice president.
Becoming President of the United States of America
While reading the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance, the paramount of his political career seems to be his becoming the president. In 1800, he again contested for the presidential candidacy and win in a tight contest. There was a tie between Aaron Burr and Jefferson as Republican electors attempted to present both president and vice president from their party. However, The House of Representatives resolved the matter and Hamilton sided with Jefferson. And this was the first-ever peaceful transfer of authority in American history.
In his presidential tenure, Thomas Jefferson cut the Army and Navy expenses, reduced the budget on the whole, and cut the tax on the whiskey. With such outrageous policies, he decreased the national debt by a third.
Meanwhile, Barbary pirates were threatening American commerce on the Mediterranean waters. Thomas Jefferson sent American naval troops to fight against them. Learning the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance let you see his visionary approach at its peak during his presidency. Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States.
A Few Inspirational Quotes of Thomas Jefferson
Great minds speak great words. Thomas Jefferson was not only an exceptional political leader but an inspirational human being as well. Anyone who checkout the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance His extraordinary speeches and writings bore numerous life lessons for anyone and everyone who seek knowledge, wisdom, and guidance to lead a better life. Here are a few of the most famous quotes of Thomas Jefferson on a variety of subjects.
• With an incredible philosophical intellect, Thomas Jefferson had always explained the beauty of a man's personality excellently. He once said that "What a stupendous, what an incomprehensible machine is a man! Who can endure toil, famine, stripes, imprisonment & death itself in vindication of his liberty, and the next moment . . . inflict on his fellow men a bondage, one hour of which is fraught with more misery than ages of that which he rose in rebellion to oppose." Human beings can endure and have always endured jolts of difficulties, however, at the end of the day, they always stood by each other through thick and thin.
• Thomas Jefferson was an eager advocate of education for all. He did all in his power to realize the importance of education to every American. Still, to this date, teachers give examples of Thomas Jefferson to their students. He once famously said, "I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county, to consist of a few well-chosen books, to be lent to the people of the country under regulations as would secure their safe return in due time." This statement also elaborates on the significance of a well-chosen text. Because, a good book can create a great mind, and harmful text can ruin the world if in the wrong hands.
• Thomas Jefferson set an example by becoming a common man's leader. He believes in the power of well-learned minds and that the government must trust the analysis and critique of such people. He said that, "Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights." Only if the political hierarchy of any country is set to listen to the people, only then they can deliver the right of a common man.
• While looking at the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance, one gets to see his simple yet brilliant approach towards leading a happy and peaceful life. He said that “Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits.” In today's world of hustle and bustle, when everyone is blindly following the money, it is exceptionally important to understand this philosophy of leading a happy life.
• We all tend to complain about the shortage of time, especially when asked about doing things you had planned for years. Thomas Jefferson had said that only the one who remains idle complaint about not having enough time the most. As he said, “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.” If we remain consistent, determined, and stick to our schedule then we will be impressed and pleasantly surprised as well.
• We all are observing protests for equal rights for minorities all around the globe, especially in the United States, the United Kingdom, and all over Europe. Thomas Jefferson, like all other sane people, had always preached about equal rights for all human beings. And he said that we all know this with proof, saying “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.” It is time to sit, relax, and learn the basics. Educate ourselves from the treasure like words of great people like Thomas Jefferson.
• Like many other important subjects, Thomas Jefferson had also touched friendship as well. His preciously spoken words about the significance of having a friend and being a friend in life hold some important life lessons. He said, “But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.” Having a precious bond of friendship with someone can bring light in the darkness.
• Thomas Jefferson had also preached the importance of living a healthy lifestyle, including both mental and physical health. Though, scientific research was not as smart and technologically equipped as it is now, however, genius minds like that of Thomas Jefferson knew the significance of keeping a healthy balance of everything in life. He advocated that we all must give the necessary time to reading, for the nourishment of our brain, and specific time to fitness exercises as well, thus keeping your body healthy and fit. He said, “Leave all the afternoon for exercise and recreation, which are as necessary as reading. I will rather say more necessary because health is worth more than learning.” Today, modern science has proved that keeping both mental and physical health up to the mark is extremely important to live a happy, and healthy life.
• Looking at the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance let you see his great intellect touching different dimensions of life. He was a great believer of equal human rights, He had predicted that law is not always right, and can be biased towards a certain part of the society. As he said, “Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add ‘within the limits of the law’ because the law is often but the tyrant’s will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.” This is what we all are observing in the modern and so-called educated world.
• The main ingredient in the recipe for achieving success is your positive mental attitude. Thomas Jefferson had said, “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.” For everyone who wishes to achieve success and happiness in life must alter his attitude first, and the road will itself lead your path.
• A great leader is the one whose main objective is to give all the necessities of life to the people. Thomas Jefferson had given great lessons to future political leaders as well. As he described the basic objective of being in politics by saying, “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” If the government makes its policies on this fundamental approach then there is no doubt they will be leading their nation towards prosperity and success.
• Thomas Jefferson, though a political leader himself, had predicted the true story of all governments. He said, “Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny.” And this happens all around the world, take any country you want, and you will see the same pattern of governments.
• Living a satisfactory and peaceful life requires the utmost mental strength. Your depression and content both source from the deep strings of your thoughts. The mentally strong one can control various emotional aspects of his life elegantly. Thomas Jefferson has perfectly described the mantra of his happiness and content with his life by saying, “I am satisfied, and sufficiently occupied with the things which are, without tormenting or troubling myself about those which may indeed be, but of which I have no evidence.” Rightly so, the things which hold no physical or evidentiary presence before eyes must not keep us in stress. If all of us grasp this simple thing, then we can live a better version of our life.
• Every soul is beautiful and important in its way. We all have certain but not all vital characteristics to live by. Each and every one of us has a particular role to play in our lives and the lives of everyone around us. Thomas Jefferson has amazingly described that "All lives matter" by saying, “Every human being must be viewed according to what it is good for. For not one of us, no, not one, is perfect. And were we to love none who had imperfection, this world would be a desert for our love.” Today, we are hearing this chant all around the globe. It is just a matter of time that we all learn to live in peace and harmony.
• Thomas Jefferson had touched all the necessary subjects about life. For centuries, the discussion about wisdom and beauty is on, both in literary circles and among common men. Thomas Jefferson had perfectly described the difference between the two along with their individualistic significance by saying, “Wisdom I know is social. She seeks her fellows. But Beauty is jealous, and bears the presence of a rival.” So true. Knowledge finds and needs channels to spread, communicate, and flow from one place to the other and this makes it social, friendly, and attractive. On the other hand, beauty always had a rival within the premises, one who is jealous of it being beautiful. This is such a simple yet extraordinary comparison of wisdom and beauty.
• Thomas Jefferson was well aware of the fact that economic stability is extremely important to build a successful, powerful, and on the whole, a civilized nation. He said, “Money, not morality, is the principle commerce of civilized nations.” And till this date, the United States is living and breathing on the same principle. Her stable economy and hold of all sorts of wealthy resources all around the world had made her the most powerful nation in the globe.
• Interestingly, Thomas Jefferson was also a big fan of good wine. He said, “Good wine is a necessity of life for me.” And this must be one thing common between him and you, for sure.
• This is a universal fact, and of modern days, but from ages that news media is the basic cause of depression and stress among people than any other thing. All of us are dealing with the horrible side effects of fake news and fire like the spread of fake information nowadays through social media and electronic media. The same was the case back in the days. Thomas Jefferson has described his one reason for happiness by saying, “I do not take a single newspaper, nor read one a month, and I feel myself infinitely the happier for it.” We all must do the same to calm ourselves.
There you go. This article has shown the incredible life of Thomas Jefferson at a glance. This is not it. There are numerous layers of Thomas Jefferson's life to learn from and learn about. He not only laid the foundation of the United States but also guided the new nation about its luminous future and how to reach for it. You can learn an incredible amount of stuff from different phases of his life. We hope that this small piece has sparked a light within you to get started.
|