Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 August 2011
One of the minor mysteries that float about the cloud-wrapped figure of Thomas Jefferson has to do with his quaint little scrap-book known as the “Morals of Jesus.” It relates to the books he used in making it. Of course if he had meant it to be published, or had ever thought it might be, he would have stated at the beginning just what editions of the Greek, Latin, French and English New Testaments he had cut his clippings from. But he did not intend it to be published; he made it for his own use and satisfaction, to read just before he went to bed, when the day's work was over. So the problem was left for us to solve.