Letter • 1813

On Natural Aristocracy

Thomas Jefferson to John Adams

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Reconciled by Benjamin Rush, Adams and Jefferson resumed a correspondence in 1812 that ran 158 letters until they died — within hours of each other — on July 4, 1826. This 1813 letter on natural aristocracy is one of the great exchanges of the founding generation.

I agree with you that there is a natural aristocracy among men. The grounds of this are virtue and talents. There is also an artificial aristocracy, founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents. The natural aristocracy I consider as the most precious gift of nature, for the instruction, the trusts, and government of society.

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