“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever”

— Thomas Jefferson , book Notes on the State of Virginia

Query XVIII (1782); for more quotes from this document see: Notes on the State of Virginia (1781-1785)
1780s, Notes on the State of Virginia
Context: In a warm climate, no man will labour for himself who can make another labour for him. This is so true, that of the proprietors of slaves a very small proportion indeed are ever seen to labour. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with his wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever: that considering numbers, nature and natural means only, a revolution of the wheel of fortune, an exchange of situation, is among possible events: that it may become probable by supernatural interference!

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3rd President of the United States of America 1743–1826

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“I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that his justice cannot sleep for ever”

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