The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
MORAL PRINCIPLES / SOCRATES AND JESUS CHRIST
While on a short visit lately to Monticello, I received from you a
copy of your comparative view of Socrates and Jesus, and I avail
myself of the first moment of leisure after my return to acknowledge
the pleasure I had in the perusal of it, and the desire it excited to
see you take up the subject on a more extended scale. In consequence
of some conversation with Dr. Rush, in the year 1798-99, I had
promised some day to write him a letter giving him my view of the
Christian system. I have reflected often on it since, and even
sketched the outlines in my own mind. I should first take a general
view of the moral doctrines of the most remarkable of the ancient
philosophers, of whose ethics we have sufficient information to make
an estimate, say Pythagoras, Epicurus, Epictetus, Socrates, Cicero,
Seneca, Antoninus. I should do justice to the branches of morality
they have treated well; but point out the importance of those in which
they are deficient. I should then take a view of the deism and ethics
of the Jews, and show in what a degraded state they were, and the
necessity they presented of a reformation. I should proceed to a view
of the life, character, and doctrines of Jesus, who sensible of
incorrectness of their ideas of the Deity, and of morality, endeavored
to bring them to the principles of a pure deism, and juster notions of
the attributes of God, to reform their moral doctrines to the standard
of reason, justice and philanthropy, and to inculcate the belief of a
future state. This view would purposely omit the question of his
divinity, and even his inspiration. To do him justice, it would be
necessary to remark the disadvantages his doctrines had to encounter,
not having been committed to writing by himself, but by the most
unlettered of men, by memory, long after they had heard them from him;
when much was forgotten, much misunderstood, and presented in every
paradoxical shape. Yet such are the fragments remaining as to show a
master workman, and that his system of morality was the most
benevolent and sublime probably that has been ever taught, and
consequently more perfect than those of any of the ancient
philosophers. His character and doctrines have received still greater
injury from those who pretend to be his special disciples, and who
have disfigured and sophisticated his actions and precepts, from views
of personal interest, so as to induce the unthinking part of mankind
to throw off the whole system in disgust, and to pass sentence as an
impostor on the most innocent, the most benevolent, the most eloquent
and sublime character that ever has been exhibited to man.
This is the outline; but I have not the time, and still less the
information which the subject needs. It will therefore rest with me in
contemplation only. You are the person of all others would do it best,
and most promptly. You have all the materials at hand, and you put
together with ease. I wish you could be induced to extend your late
work to the whole subject. I have not heard particularly what is the
state of your health; but as it has been equal to the journey to
Philadelphia, perhaps it might encourage the curiosity you must feel
to see for once this place, which nature has formed on a beautiful
scale, and circumstances destine for a great one. As yet we are but a
cluster of villages; we cannot offer you the learned society of
Philadelphia; but you will have that of a few characters whom you
esteem, and a bed and hearty welcome with one who will rejoice in
every opportunity of testifying to you his high veneration and
affectionate attachment.
to Joseph Priestly, 9 April 1803
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