Notable Quotable: Thomas Jefferson On Aristocracy
On October 28, 1813, in his letter to John Adams, Thomas Jefferson said:
“I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents. There is also an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents. The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government, and provision should be made to prevent its ascendancy.”
If such a provision was ever made, our leaders abandoned it long ago, but most American citizens did not.
We the people showed up at polling places with feet vibrantly planted in democracy and hearts eager to rebel against the fake aristocracy that continues to snub its nose at the needs of the people while flaunting its exorbitant malice and corruption without fear of consequence.
The voices of our founding fathers faded long ago, but yesterday they haunted us enough to ignite a fatal rebuke of the flamboyant cruelty governing the land, leaving a majority of Americans feeling new hope for our nation’s future.
Wonderland
I only closely watched one race. I prayed that Jay Jones would lose. Unfortunately, he won. I feel very sad for our country.
Evangel
We appreciate your heartfelt comment. Jay Jones is one example of the “mischievous ingredient” in government that Jefferson spoke of. But there is no provision to prevent his ascendancy.
In America’s irascible political climate, violent speech, depraved as it is, has become normalized. Still, it’s considered unacceptable from our leaders. Yet, instances of such speech from any elected official will promptly be lambasted as deranged by one party, and dismissed as a harmless joke by the party to which the offender belongs. The unwillingness to hold such leaders to equal account is a flaw in the American electorate.
Faithville
It absolutely is…double standards and unapologetic hypocrisy. We should be better than this.
Well Street
Jefferson's letter reminded me, in a roundabout way, of the modern-day "Nepo baby"—someone whose career path was made possible by a parent's wealth and connections. Many view nepo babies as not having earned their positions or paid their dues, and would likely want to see provisions to prevent their undeserved ascendancy.
Evangel
Growing up in Latin American where military juntas ruled as autocrats, I learned there were only two pathways toward ascendancy into the ruling class: first, nepotism; second, join the military. Sadly, I recently read that our own military recruits heavily in blighted communities, promising young people they can rise out of poverty by joining the military.
Slipstream
I've read and heard it many times—"We haven't seen anything like this before." Well, guess what, we have. Clearly, our forefathers had the same concerns we voice today. And I'm sure something along the same line was said long before Jefferson. It does bring some comfort to know we can come through this time because we've been there before.
Evangel
You got that right. Jesus taught that wealth and power do not guarantee virtue or righteousness.