What did Thomas Jefferson say about government? As he did throughout his life, Jefferson strongly believed that every American should have the right to prevent the government from infringing on the liberties of its citizens. Certain liberties, including those of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition, should be sacred to everyone. ***** "That government is best which governs least." "The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for them to do themselves." "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”