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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO CHARLES CLAY - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 12 (Correspondence and Papers 1816-1826) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 12.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO CHARLES CLAY

Poplar Forest, July 12, 17

Dear Sir,

—This is the only fair day since you were here, & being to depart to-morrow, I must employ it otherwise than in paying the visit I had intended you. I shall be back however within 3 weeks and have time then to render the double.

In the mean while as your Paul is desirous of laying up useful things in the storehouse of his mind, I send him a little bundle of canons of conduct which may merit a shelf after the one occupied by the Decalogue of first authority. If he will get them by heart, occasions will not be wanting for their useful application. You can furnish him also with another decad, and regulating his life by this code of practice it may bring pleasure and profit to himself, and praise from others. Wishing pleasure, profit, and praise to him, to you and yours, I salute you with constant friendship and respect.1

[1 ]Th. Jefferson to Paul Clay.

“1. Never spend your money before you have it.

“2. Never buy what you don’t want, because it is cheap: it will be dear to you.

“3. Pride costs more than hunger, thirst and cold.

“4. Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.

“5. Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.

“6. Think as you please and let others do so: you will then have no disputes.

“7. How much pain have cost us the things which have never happened.

“8. Take things always by their smooth handle.

“9. When angry count 10. before you speak. If very angry 100.

“10. When at table, remember that we never repent of having eaten or drunk too little.

Hæc animo concipe dicta tuo et vale.”