"The Autobiography" by Thomas Jefferson

Journal # 16
Posted by: Melissa Veum
Engl 48A
11-12-09

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed (Jefferson, 653)."

"Do not bite at the bait of pleasure, til you know there is no hook beneath it (Jefferson, brainyquote.com)."

Jefferson states that governments that have been around for long periods of time, with discretion, should not be changed over small and petty causes. A government that has thrived for long periods of time has hopefully had time to construct itself and should not be changed for frivolous causes because this could diminish all the work and effort that your ancestors created some time ago. If the matter is though an important need for change, as in many years have passed and those who created the government are no longer alive or if the need for change is persistent for the well-being of civilization, one could see a much needed change. He is also trying to express that mankind would rather suffer in bad times than right themselves from the evils and what they are accustomed to.

I think this means that people want and look for the easy way out sometimes. When a government is not working and people are suffering from "evils", that would be the time for a change. Some people would rather dwell in the now and not worry about the future, they don't want to rock to the boat. Jefferson states that you don't have change things for frivolous reasons, but you don't want to suffer either. With a lot of man-power and persistence the rules and customs of a government can be changed and things could be better, people just have to be open and willing.