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Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826. Letters
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University of Virginia Library
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JESUS, SOCRATES, AND OTHERS
To Dr. Joseph Priestley
Washington, Apr. 9, 1803
1803040
DEAR SIR, -- While on a short visit lately to Monticello, I
received from you a copy of your comparative view of Socrates
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& Jesus, and I avail myself of the first moment of
leisure after my return to acknolege the pleasure had in the perusal of it, and
the desire it excited to see you take up the subject on a more extensive scale.
In consequence of some conversation with Dr. Rush, in the year 1798-99, I had
promised some day to write him a letter giving him my view of the Christian
system. I have reflected often on it since, & even sketched the outlines in
my own mind. I should first take a general view of the moral doctrines of the
most remarkable of the antient philosophers, of whose ethics we have sufficient
information to make an estimate, say of Pythagoras, Epicurus, Epictetus,
Socrates, Cicero, Seneca, Antoninus. I should do justice to the branches of
morality they have treated well; but point out the importance of those in which
they are deficient. should then take a view of the deism and ethics of the Jews,
and show in what a degraded state they were, and the necessity they presented of
a reformation. I should proceed to a view of the life, character, &
doctrines of Jesus, who sensible of incorrectness of their ideas of the Deity,
and of morality, endeavored to bring them to the principles of a pure deism, and
juster notions of the attributes of God, to reform their moral doctrines to the
standard of reason, justice & philanthropy, and to inculcate the belief of a
future state. This view would purposely omit the question of his divinity, &
even his inspiration. To do him justice, it would be necessary to remark the
disadvantages his doctrines have to encounter, not having been committed to
writing by himself, but by the most unlettered of men, by memory, long after
they had heard them from him; when much was forgotten, much misunderstood, &
presented in very paradoxical shapes. Yet such are the fragments remaining as to
show a master workman, and that his system of morality was the most benevolent
& sublime probably that has been ever taught, and consequently more perfect
than those of any of the antient philosophers. His character & doctrines
have received still greater injury from those who pretend to be his special
disciples, and who have disfigured and sophisticated his actions & precepts,
from views of personal interest, so as to induce the unthinking part of mankind
to throw off the whole system in disgust, and to pass sentence as an impostor on
the most innocent, the most benevolent,
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the most eloquent and sublime character that ever has
been exhibited to man. This is the outline; but I have not the time, & still
less the information which the subject needs. It will therefore rest with me in
contemplation only. You are the person who of all others would do it best, and
most promptly. You have all the materials at hand, and you put together with
ease. I wish you could be induced to extend your late work to the whole subject.
I have not heard particularly what is the state of your health; but as it has
been equal to the journey to Philadelphia, perhaps it might encourage the
curiosity you must feel to see for once this place, which nature has formed on a
beautiful scale, and circumstances destine for a great one. As yet we are but a
cluster of villages; we cannot offer you the learned society of Philadelphia;
but you will have that of a few characters whom you esteem, & a bed &
hearty welcome with one who will rejoice in every opportunity of testifying to
you his high veneration & affectionate attachment.
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