The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
EDUCATION
Considering history as a moral exercise, her lessons would be too
infrequent if confined to real life. Of those recorded by historians
few incidents have been attended with such circumstances as to excite
in any high degree this sympathetic emotion of virtue. We are,
therefore, wisely framed to be as warmly interested for a fictitious
as for a real personage. The field of imagination is thus laid open to
our use and lessons may be formed to illustrate and carry home to the
heart every moral rule of life. Thus a lively and lasting sense of
filial duty is more effectually impressed on the mind of a son or
daughter by reading King Lear, than by all the dry volumes of ethics,
and divinity that ever were written. This is my idea of well written
Romance, of Tragedy, Comedy and Epic poetry. If you are fond of
speculation the books under the head of Criticism will afford you
much pleasure. Of Politics and Trade I have given you a few only of
the best books, as you would probably choose to be not unacquainted
with those commercial principles which bring wealth into our country,
and the constitutional security we have for the enjoyment of that
wealth. In Law I mention a few systematical books, as a knowledge of
the minutiae of that science is not necessary for a private gentleman.
In Religion, History', Natural philosophy, I have followed the same
plan in general.
to Robert Skipwith, 3 August 1771
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