Tyranny And Law: Who Said What?

The quote, When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty, is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said these exact words, and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has called the quote spurious. While Jefferson did write the Declaration of Independence and expressed similar sentiments in his letters, the phrase in question first appeared in print in 2006 and may have been popularized by social activists in Australia.

Thomas Jefferson's views on rebellion

Thomas Jefferson is often quoted as saying, "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty". However, this quote is not verified and there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said it. Nevertheless, it captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence, and in his personal letters.

In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote about his belief that a little rebellion was necessary for the sound health of a government. He argued that unsuccessful rebellions established the encroachment on the rights of the people that produced them, and that honest republican governors should be mild in their punishment of rebellions so as not to discourage them too much.

Jefferson's views on rebellion were also shaped by his experiences with the British ministry. In a letter to William Smith, he wrote about the lies that the British ministry had spread about the American colonies being in anarchy, and how this had led to a rebellion in Massachusetts. He argued that such rebellions were necessary to preserve the spirit of resistance and warned that a lethargy of the people could be the forerunner of death to public liberty.

Jefferson also wrote about the value of the spirit of resistance to the government, saying that it was so valuable that he wished it to be always kept alive. He acknowledged that it would often be exercised when wrong, but believed that it was better than not being exercised at all.

In summary, Thomas Jefferson's views on rebellion were shaped by his belief in the importance of preserving liberty and resistance against tyranny. He saw rebellion as a necessary medicine for the sound health of a government and an important way to prevent the degeneracy of government and nourish a general attention to public affairs.

The accuracy of the quote's attribution to Thomas Jefferson

A Google search for "who said when tyranny becomes law" yields results attributed to Thomas Jefferson, with the full quote often presented as: "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." The quote has been widely circulated and is often used by those advocating for resistance to oppressive or unjust laws.

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, is known for his strong beliefs in liberty, individual rights, and limited government. The sentiment expressed in the quote certainly aligns with Jefferson's political philosophy and writings. Jefferson had a profound influence on American democracy and was a vocal proponent of natural rights and the consent of the governed.

However, the accuracy of the attribution of this particular quote to Jefferson has been called into question by some scholars and experts in Jeffersonian studies. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which operates Jefferson's iconic home, Monticello, and is dedicated to preserving his legacy, does not include this quote in its extensive database of Jefferson's quotations. This suggests that there is insufficient evidence to confirm that Jefferson actually penned or uttered these words.

Additionally, the phrase does not appear in any of Jefferson's published works or correspondence that have been extensively documented and studied. While this does not definitively prove that he never said or wrote these words, it does cast some doubt on the accuracy of the attribution. It is possible that the quote is a paraphrase or interpretation of Jefferson's broader political philosophy, or that it was recorded second-hand and incorrectly attributed to him over time.

In conclusion, while the sentiment of the quote aligns with Thomas Jefferson's political beliefs and values, there is a lack of concrete evidence to confirm that he is the original source of these exact words. Further research and discovery of primary sources would be necessary to definitively attribute the quote to Jefferson with complete accuracy and confidence. Until such evidence is found, it is important to approach this quotation with a critical eye and acknowledge the possibility of incorrect or misleading attribution.

The quote's appearance in popular culture

The quote, "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty", is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that he ever said or wrote this. The quote first appeared in print in 2006, but it had been in circulation for decades. It is believed that the phrase was originally coined by social activists in Australia.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding its origin, the quote has been widely shared and referenced in popular culture, especially by those advocating for political rebellion or resistance.

For example, in 2018, Twitter users shared the quote on Thomas Jefferson's birthday, with some using the hashtag #theResistance, a term that has come to represent opposition to former President Donald Trump. The quote has also been used by people on both sides of the political spectrum to justify their opposition to the other side.

The quote's message of rebellion in the face of tyranny also has broader applications beyond politics. For example, it has been used by social activists advocating for various causes, such as refugee rights or the protection of minority groups. In these contexts, the quote serves as a rallying cry for people to take action and challenge the status quo when they believe that the law is being used to perpetuate injustice or oppression.

Thomas Jefferson's writings on rebellion

Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, is often remembered for his thoughts on rebellion and tyranny. The quote "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty" is attributed to him, although there is no evidence that he ever said those exact words. However, Jefferson's writings do express similar sentiments.

In a letter to James Madison in 1787, Jefferson wrote:

> "I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical... Unsuccessful rebellions indeed generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions, as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government."

Jefferson's belief in the value of rebellion is evident in this passage, where he argues that occasional rebellions are beneficial for the health of a government. He suggests that rebellions can prevent the "degeneracy of government" and foster a public attention to political affairs. Furthermore, he advises that the punishment for such rebellions should be mild so as not to discourage future acts of resistance.

In another letter from the same year, Jefferson wrote to William Smith:

> "God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, & always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive; if they remain quiet under such misconceptions it is a lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty... what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Here, Jefferson expresses a strong desire for regular rebellions, going so far as to say that a country cannot preserve its liberties without them. He justifies this by arguing that the "spirit of resistance" is necessary to counter the potential "lethargy" and "misconceptions" that threaten public liberty. Jefferson also makes a controversial statement about the loss of life, suggesting that a few lives lost in the name of liberty is an acceptable sacrifice.

While the exact quote "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty" may not be found in Thomas Jefferson's writings, his letters reveal a clear endorsement of the right to rebel against oppressive governments. He saw rebellion as a necessary tool for maintaining liberty and keeping governments in check.

The quote's interpretation in politics

The quote, "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty", is often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. However, there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said these exact words, and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation has referred to the quote as "spurious". The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying has been in circulation for decades.

Despite this, the quote captures some of the ideas that Jefferson expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which he wrote. In this document, Jefferson stated that when faced with a "long train of abuses" and "usurpations" that aim to establish "absolute Despotism", it is the right and duty of the people "to throw off such Government". This idea of rebellion against tyranny is a recurring theme in Jefferson's letters, with him writing in 1787 that:

> "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive... I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere."

The quote has been used by both conservatives and liberals in the United States to invoke the idea of "resistance" to the government. For example, in 2018, some Twitter users shared the quote in reference to the Trump administration, with one user stating that "The duty of The People is to protect its Country from the government!".

The interpretation of the quote in politics, therefore, revolves around the idea of justifying rebellion or resistance against a government that is perceived to be oppressive or unjust. It suggests that when a government's actions become tyrannical, it is the duty of the people to rise up and overthrow that government. This interpretation aligns with Jefferson's belief in the importance of rebellion and resistance against an unjust government.

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