Did you know that Thomas Jefferson wrote 100% of his first (and I think second) inaugural address? This speech is also one of the finest ever given in our country's history. This is maybe my favorite political quote ever, and it's from this address:
If there be any among us who would wish to dissolve this union or to change its republican form, let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left to combat it.
Can you imagine a modern politician writing large portions (or god-forbid the majority) of a major speech? An inaugural address, or a State of the Union? (Jefferson also wrote every State of the Union, except he discontinued the tradition established by Washington & Adams of speaking to congress at the beginning of every year, preferring instead to submit a written report to congress. Very Jefferson.)
Jefferson also of course wrote the original draft of (so most of) the Declaration of Independence. This excerpt is probably the most famous writing in American history:
We hold these truths to be self evident; that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inherent and inalienable Rights; that among these are life, liberty & the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Thomas Jefferson. What a BAMF.
Chice
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