Quote by Thomas Jefferson: “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.”

Jefferson believed that the fundamental purpose of any legitimate government is to ensure the welfare and happiness of its citizens, not to cause harm. This statement clarifies his vision for leadership, prioritizing the protection and flourishing of human life above all else.

As he concluded his second term as president, Jefferson reiterated his core philosophy of government to citizens. He emphasized that the state's primary role is to protect and promote the well-being of its people, not to harm them.

American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, philosopher, and Founding Father who served as the third president of the United States from 1801 to 1809. He was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.