The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (236 page)

Jay, Douglas
1907–96

1
In the case of nutrition and health, just as in the case of education, the gentleman in Whitehall really does know better what is good for people than the people know themselves.

The Socialist Case
(1939) ch. 30

 
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see
Johann Paul Friedrich Richter

 
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Jeans, James
1877–1946

1
If we assume that the last breath of, say, Julius Caesar has by now become thoroughly scattered through the atmosphere, then the chances are that each of us inhales one molecule of it with every breath we take.
now usually quoted as the "dying breath of Socrates"

An Introduction to the Kinetic Theory of Gases
(1940)

2
Life exists in the universe only because the carbon atom possesses certain exceptional properties.

The Mysterious Universe
(1930) ch. 1

3
From the intrinsic evidence of his creation, the Great Architect of the Universe now begins to appear as a pure mathematician.

The Mysterious Universe
(1930) ch. 5

 
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Jefferson, Thomas
1743–1826

1
We hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable; that all men are created equal and independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent and inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, and liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

"Rough Draft" of the American Declaration of Independence, in J. P. Boyd et al.
Papers of Thomas Jefferson
(1950) vol. 1.

2
The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.

letter to W. S. Smith, 13 November 1787

3
If a due participation of office is a matter of right, how are vacancies to be obtained? Those by death are few; by resignation none.
often quoted as, "Few die and none resign"

letter to E. Shipman and others, 12 July 1801

4
When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself as public property.

to Baron von Humboldt, 1807

5
We have the wolf by the ears; and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other.
on slavery

letter to John Holmes, 22 April 1820

6
To attain all this [universal republicanism], however, rivers of blood must yet flow, and years of desolation pass over; yet the object is worth rivers of blood, and years of desolation.

letter to John Adams, 4 September 1823

7
Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.

Notes on the State of Virginia
(1781–5) Query 18

 
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Jeffrey, Francis, Lord
1773–1850

1
This will never do.
on Wordsworth's The Excursion (1814)

in
Edinburgh Review
November 1814

 
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Jenkins, David
1925–

1
I am not clear that God manoeuvres physical things…After all, a conjuring trick with bones only proves that it is as clever as a conjuring trick with bones.
on the Resurrection

in "Poles Apart" (BBC radio, 4 October 1984)

 
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