The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
PERSONAL AFFAIRS
When I first entered on the stage of public life (now twenty-four
years ago), I came to a resolution never to engage while in public
office in any kind of enterprise for the improvement of my fortune,
nor to wear any other character than that of a farmer. I have never
departed from it in a single instance; and I have in multiplied
instances found myself happy in being able to decide and to act as a
public servant, clear of all interest, in the multiform questions that
have arisen, wherein I have seen others embarrassed and biased by
having got themselves into a more interested situation.
to an Unidentified Addressee, 18 March 1793
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