answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

There is NO quote from Thomas Jefferson about asking "honest questions," though a Google search reveals that there are dozens of cases of Glenn Beck claiming this quote exists.

The "honest questions", Beck actually refers to as "honest questioning"-- claiming the quote comes from a letter from Jefferson to his nephew Peter Carr. He first makes this claim in his book "The Real America" on pg 209, where he misquotes Jefferson:

"'And above all things,' he wrote, 'when it comes to religion, fix reason firmly in her seat and question everything. Take no man's singular opinion. Question the very existence of God, for if there be a God, He must surely rather honest questioning over blindfolded fear.'" [http://books.google.com/books?id=H7a4WbP4CWcC&lpg=PA209&dq=thomas%20jefferson%20quotes%20%22honest%20questioning%22&pg=PA209#v=onepage&q=&f=true]

What Jefferson ACTUALLY wrote was this in the letter dater August 10, 1787: "Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear." [http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?document=2223]

_______________

In the interest of accuracy, I believe the full passage might be helpful to the individual seeking an answer to the question. All need to be aware what is written above is not in the interest of accuracy of the actual quote but, rather, attempts to discredit an individual who used the quote. My sources for this quote are Jefferson's own writings, which are sourced; I could care less about how anyone feels about Beck. However, it appears the nearly 100 people being employed to discredit him are busy little bees - and truth suffers for it.

"Religion. Your reason is now mature enough to examine this object. In the first place, divest yourself of all bias in favor of novelty & singularity of opinion. Indulge them in any other subject rather than that of religion. It is too important, and the consequences of error may be too serious. On the other hand, shake off all the fears & servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.You will naturally examine first, the religion of your own country. Read the Bible, then as you would read Livy or Tacitus. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature, you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy & Tacitus. The testimony of the writer weighs in their favor, in one scale, and their not being against the laws of nature, does not weigh against them. But those facts in the Bible which contradict the laws of nature, must be examined with more care, and under a variety of faces. Here you must recur to the pretensions of the writer to inspiration from God. Examine upon what evidence his pretensions are founded, and whether that evidence is so strong, as that its falsehood would be more improbable than a change in the laws of nature, in the case he relates. For example, in the book of Joshua, we are told, the sun stood still several hours. Were we to read that fact in Livy or Tacitus, we should class it with their showers of blood, speaking of statues, beasts, &c. But it is said, that the writer of that book was inspired. Examine, therefore, candidly, what evidence there is of his having been inspired. The pretension is entitled to your inquiry, because millions believe it. On the other hand, you are astronomer enough to know how contrary it is to the law of nature that a body revolving on its axis, as the earth does, should have stopped, should not, by that sudden stoppage, have prostrated animals, trees, buildings, and should after a certain time gave resumed its revolution, & that without a second general prostration. Is this arrest of the earth's motion, or the evidence which affirms it, most within the law of probabilities? You will next read the New Testament. It is the history of a personage called Jesus. Keep in your eye the opposite pretensions: 1, of those who say he was begotten by God, born of a virgin, suspended & reversed the laws of nature at will, & ascended bodily into heaven; and 2, of those who say he was a man of illegitimate birth, of a benevolent heart, enthusiastic mind, who set out without pretensions to divinity, ended in believing them, and was punished capitally for sedition, by being gibbeted, according to the Roman law, which punished the first commission of that offence by whipping, & the second by exile, or death in fureâ. See this law in the Digest Lib. 48. tit. 19. §. 28. 3. & Lipsius Lib 2. de cruce. cap. 2. These questions are examined in the books I have mentioned under the head of religion, & several others. They will assist you in your inquiries, but keep your reason firmly on the watch in reading them all.

Do not be frightened from this inquiry by any fear of its consequences. If it ends in a belief that there is no God, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise, and the love of others which it will procure you. If you find reason to believe there is a God, a consciousness that you are acting under his eye, & that he approves you, will be a vast additional incitement; if that there be a future state, the hope of a happy existence in that increases the appetite to deserve it; if that Jesus was also a God, you will be comforted by a belief of his aid and love. In fine, I repeat, you must lay aside all prejudice on both sides, and neither believe nor reject anything, because any other persons, or description of persons, have rejected or believed it. Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, and you are answerable, not for the rightness, but uprightness of the decision. I forgot to observe, when speaking of the New Testament, that you should read all the histories of Christ, as well of those whom a council of ecclesiastics have decided for us, to be Pseudo-evangelists, as those they named Evangelists. Because these Pseudo-evangelists pretended to inspiration, as much as the others, and you are to judge their pretensions by your own reason, and not by the reason of those ecclesiastics. Most of these are lost. There are some, however, still extant, collected by Fabricius, which I will endeavor to get & send you"

____________

Homage. we can assume, to mean pay special respect or honor, in this case applied to reason. Jefferson, therefore, appears to be telling his nephew to apply reason with care and due diligence. When the passage is viewed in its entirety, one begins to understand he is advising his nephew to view the matter objectively, never to fear the inquiry - which means question.

If one cares to read the book (volume 5) or any of the other works published that contain his writings, Internet Archives has them all free. Volume 5, cited here, can be found here: [http://www.archive.org/details/workofjeffer05jeffuoft]

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the quote by Thomas Jefferson about asking honest questions?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about General History

Thomas Jefferson said this about James Monroe Monroe was so honest that if you turned his soul inside out there would not be a spot on it How can you rewrite this sentence?

Monroe never tell lies that's my guess


What was Thomas Jefferson's agrarian vision?

Thomas Jefferson was not for a "strong" federal government. He believed that a sufficient government was one that acted more as a go-between for the states, and not as much of a central authority. Thomas Jefferson believed that farmers were the most honest people because they had daily, direct contact with the world that God created, and therefore they had daily direct contact with God Himself. Jefferson considered farmers to be the "purest" people, untainted by trying to keep up with busy city life, and so they were the people that would keep the nation morally sound.


Did general thomas gauge have a nickname?

Honest Tom


Why is it impossible to get a nonracist answer from an American Indian?

If you are getting racist answers from American Indians, it is probably for asking racist stereotyping questions such as this one. A question based in an honest desire to understand the American Indian, free of stereotyping, racism, and generalities will get a like answer.


Why did Alexander Hamilton support Thomas Jefferson and not Aaron Burr?

Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr were bitter political rivals. Hamilton thought Burr was dishonest, disreputable and dangerous, which may or may not have been the truth, but was certainly Hamilton's belief. Hamilton developed animosity toward Burr when Burr won election to Congress, beating Alexander Hamilton's father-in-law, Philip Schuyler, who was the incumbent. Hamilton carried a grudge, undermined Burr whenever the opportunity arose, and was determined to ruin Burr's political career. Alexander Hamilton supported Thomas Jefferson because he hated Jefferson slightly less than he hated Burr. When the results of the election were finalized, Hamilton said, "At least Jefferson is honest."

Related questions

Why should there be a revolution in government every 20 years?

"Just to keep the government honest" -Thomas Jefferson


What does the term 'entangling alliances refers to?

In his inaugural address in 1801, President Thomas Jefferson called for "peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none."


Thomas Jefferson said this about James Monroe Monroe was so honest that if you turned his soul inside out there would not be a spot on it How can you rewrite this sentence?

Monroe never tell lies that's my guess


Can you get banned from WikiAnswers for asking too many questions?

No, you cannot get banned for asking too many questions; questions and answers is what the site is all about.Note:Inappropriate questions, however, can get you blocked. Honest questions that can be answered will not get you blocked.Posting many nonsense or "borderline" questions will get you blocked. One user asked hundreds of questions with the word "object" in them, and most didn't make sense or seemed like a weak attempt at trolling. "How do I eat object?" "How do I put object?" That user is blocked.


What two word describe Thomas Jefferson and why?

Individual Rights. why? everything that Thomas Jefferson did was to wrap around and relate back to this. He was honest and fair, and he was doing what he did to benefit the common "stupid" man. He wasn't trying to keep the big shots and wealthy people where they were, he was trying to help everyone, because it was within everyone's individual rights to have the freedom of opportunity.


What was Thomas Jefferson's agrarian vision?

Thomas Jefferson was not for a "strong" federal government. He believed that a sufficient government was one that acted more as a go-between for the states, and not as much of a central authority. Thomas Jefferson believed that farmers were the most honest people because they had daily, direct contact with the world that God created, and therefore they had daily direct contact with God Himself. Jefferson considered farmers to be the "purest" people, untainted by trying to keep up with busy city life, and so they were the people that would keep the nation morally sound.


How does history view James Monroe's ethics and morality in office?

James Monroe was viewed as a very moral man, Thomas Jefferson said that "Monroe was so honest that if you turned his soul inside out there would not be a spot on it."


Did general thomas gauge have a nickname?

Honest Tom


Vb 6.0 interview questions?

to be honest with everything


Your boyfriend questions your love for him what should you do?

The most important thing to do is be honest. Be completely honest no matter how the outcome is.


What does the name thomas meen?

The name Thomas meens very honest, helpful, and caring. Thomas is a respectful person and loves to help others. This is for YOU THOMAS! :]


Answers to customer focus interview questions?

Be completely honest.