Not being a paragon of virtue doesn't put your actions on the same level as bin Ladens though. Ones faults don't preclude any virtue at all, either. Jefferson was a human being and a sinner like the rest of us; I consider NO ONE on this planet a paragon of virtue, in case you forgot. Quote's still valid and good, however, with which I agree (plus it's great to use when atheists claim all the Founding Fathers were atheists, too, as if they WERE paragons we're obligated to emulate in every way. ) The quoted observation didn't make Jefferson a saint, and owning slaves didn't make him a demon (you forgot to accuse him of raping Sally Hemmings, you're supposed to do that, too, remember? ) Doing both just makes him a human being, like all of us.