There are many personal letters
that could be referenced in regard to Jefferson’s sentiments on the subjects of
virtue and morality. A compilation of quotes from such letters found online at “Thomas Jefferson on Politics and
Government” under the heading “Moral Principles” totals over seventy-five
(75) separate references.[1]
However, let us focus on one
letter in particular. Thomas
Jefferson wrote this letter to his daughter to Martha ("Patsy")
Jefferson on May 21, 1787 from France:
"I write to you, my dear Patsy, from the Canal of Languedoc [pictured above] on which I am at present sailing, as I have been for a week past, cloudless skies above, limpid waters below, and find on each hand a row of nightingales in full chorus. …I expect to be at Paris about the middle of next month. By that time we may begin to expect our dear Polly. It will be a circumstance of inexpressible comfort to me to have you both with me once more. The object most interesting to me for the residue of my life, will be to see you both developing daily those principles of virtue and goodness which will make you valuable to others and happy in yourselves, and acquiring those talents and that degree of science which will guard you at all times against ennui, the most dangerous poison of life. A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe for felicity." [2]
"I write to you, my dear Patsy, from the Canal of Languedoc [pictured above] on which I am at present sailing, as I have been for a week past, cloudless skies above, limpid waters below, and find on each hand a row of nightingales in full chorus. …I expect to be at Paris about the middle of next month. By that time we may begin to expect our dear Polly. It will be a circumstance of inexpressible comfort to me to have you both with me once more. The object most interesting to me for the residue of my life, will be to see you both developing daily those principles of virtue and goodness which will make you valuable to others and happy in yourselves, and acquiring those talents and that degree of science which will guard you at all times against ennui, the most dangerous poison of life. A mind always employed is always happy. This is the true secret, the grand recipe for felicity." [2]
Thomas Jefferson affectionately conveys
to Patsy that the “grand recipe for felicity” or happiness, and the object most dear to him
for the rest of his life, will be to witness her keeping her mind cheerfully
employed and developing daily “principles of virtue and goodness.” As Elizabeth
Langhorne has so eloquently observed in her biography “Monticello: A Family
Story,” that while his daughter Mary (or “Polly”) passed away at age 25, Jefferson
remained most devoted to Patsy throughout his life (and she to him). Langhorne writes that foremost to
Jefferson’s “comforts of a beloved family … of course, was the presence of
Martha, who was her father’s housekeeper, his hostess, and his intimate
companion.”[3]
After all has been said, this was Jefferson’s
dream for his family at Monticello, to establish
and maintain a home, just as Palladio had envisioned: “The ancient sages
commonly used to retire to such places, where being oftentimes visited by their
virtuous friends and relations, having houses, gardens, fountains …and above all their virtue, they could
easily attain to as much happiness as can be attained here below.”[4]
Thomas Jefferson’s lifelong pursuit may
be defined by his statement that, “Happiness is the aim of life. Virtue is
the foundation of happiness.”[5]
[1]
http://famguardian.org/Subjects/Politics/ThomasJefferson/jeff0200.htm
[2] Jefferson, Writings (The Library of America, New
York, 2001), pp. 896-97 [emphasis added].
[3] Elizabeth Langhorne, Monticello: A Family Story (Algonquin
Books of Chapel Hill, 1987), p. 163. Martha Jefferson Randolph served as
"first lady" with her father from 1802-3 and 1805-6 in the U.S. President's House, later known as the White House. After Jefferson's
retirement, Martha and her children spent their time primarily at Monticello,
even while her husband, Thomas Mann Randolph, was serving as
Virginia's governor (see Monticello Online).
[4] Langhorne, p. 4 [emphasis added]. Jefferson owned “The Architecture of A. Palladio; in Four Books.” (2 vols. London, 1742), and they were the primary source of inspiration for his design of Monticello and the University of Virginia.
[5] Thomas Jefferson to William
Short, October 31, 1819, ME 15:219-224.