The Elusive Thomas Jefferson

Essays on the Man Behind the Myths

Thomas Jefferson’s writings on morality have largely been ignored. His thoughts on the subject, never developed in any formal work, are said to be unsystematic—a judgment reinforced by his shift from Stoicism (intentions are critical) to Utilitarianism (consequences are critical) later in life. Yet his writings and the moral works he recommended reveal much about his moral sense and views on good living. Jefferson valued personal moral improvement, had great respect for moral exemplars and drew inspiration from moralists, sermonizers, novelists, poets, historians and such role models as Professor William Small and his friend George Wythe.