Quotation: "The first duty of government is the protection of life, not its destruction. Abandon that, and you have abandoned all."
Variations:
- "The chief purpose of government is to protect life. Abandon that, and you have abandoned all."
Sources consulted:
- Papers of Thomas Jefferson
- Thomas Jefferson retirement papers
- Thomas Jefferson: Papers and Biographies collections in Hathi Trust Digital Library
Earliest appearance in print found: 1989[1]
Comments: This quotation has not been found in the writings of Thomas Jefferson.
- Anna Berkes, December 29, 2011