Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) wrote to Pierre S. Dupont de Nemours on April 24, 1816:
 
“Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. Although I do not, with some enthusiasts, believe that the human condition will ever advance to such a state of perfection as that there shall no longer be pain or vice in the world, yet I believe it susceptible of much improvement, and most of all, in matters of government and religion; and that the diffusion of knowledge among the people is to be the instrument by which it is to be effected.”
 
“Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like phantoms at dawn” is an slightly incorrect version that replaces “evil spirits” with “phantoms.” The “phantoms” version has been popular since at least 2011.
 
 
The Library of Congress—American Memory
The Thomas Jefferson Papers Series 1. General Correspondence. 1651-1827
Thomas Jefferson to Pierre S. Dupont de Nemours, April 24, 1816
Transcription
Thomas Jefferson to Pierre S. Dupont de Nemours, April 24, 1816
Poplar Forest, April 24, 1816.
(...)
In the constitution of Spain, as proposed by the late Cortes, there was a principle entirely new to me, and not noticed in yours, that no person, born after that day, should ever acquire the rights of citizenship until he could read and write. It is impossible sufficiently to estimate the wisdom of this provision. Of all those which have been thought of for securing fidelity in the administration of the government, constant ralliance to the principles of the constitution, and progressive amendments with the progressive advances of the human mind, or changes in human affairs, it is the most effectual. Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day. Although I do not, with some enthusiasts, believe that the human condition will ever advance to such a state of perfection as that there shall no longer be pain or vice in the world, yet I believe it susceptible of much improvement, and most of all, in matters of government and religion; and that the diffusion of knowledge among the people is to be the instrument by which it is to be effected.
     
Wikiquote: Tyranny
Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.
. Thomas Jefferson, letter to Du Pont de Nemours (April 24, 1816).
 
Monticello.org
1816 April 24. (to Dupont de Nemours) “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day . . . . I believe it [human condition] susceptible of much improvement, and most of all, in matters of government and religion; and that the diffusion of knowledge among the people is to be the instrument by which it is effected.”
   
Daily Paul
Ron Paul Week - The View, Hannity, Colbert, Fox & Friends, Exploratory Committee!
Submitted by Michael Nystrom on Fri, 04/29/2011 - 16:06
(...)
COMMENTS
No matter WHICH show he
Submitted by Kawlija on Mon, 04/25/2011 - 00:58.
(...)
“Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like phantoms at dawn.”—Thomas Jefferson
   
Daily Paul
Libertarian Talk Radio?
Submitted by RM33 on Wed, 06/15/2011 - 22:08
(...)
Jason Lewis
Submitted by Kawlija on Thu, 06/16/2011 - 05:25.
(...)
“Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like phantoms at dawn.”—Thomas Jefferson
   
Bernews (Bermuda News)
Man Arrested For Paget Shooting
October 6, 2011
(...)
COMMENTS
The Whole Truth!! says:
October 7, 2011 at 10:13 am
Oh look at that, they didn’t even have to criminalize tinted visors to catch him!! That’s the end of that argument!! Hit the like button if you are for LIBERTY and FREEDOM!! “Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like phantoms at dawn.”
 
Daily Paul
Awesome sign for Ron Paul 2012 that I had to photograph for the Daily Paul
Submitted by joeinmo on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 12:48
(...)
COMMENTS
Thanks for the encouragment
Submitted by Kawlija on Sun, 06/24/2012 - 18:43.
(...)
“Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like phantoms at dawn.”—Thomas Jefferson
 
American Objectivist
“Enlighten the people, generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like phantoms at dawn.”—Thomas Jefferson
(A post was made on January 28. 2013—ed.)