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Thomas Jefferson Quotes about War

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I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.

Thomas Jefferson
Freedom, War, Gun
Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson (1988). “Paine and Jefferson on Liberty”, p.89, Bloomsbury Publishing USA

The spirit of the times may alter, will alter. Our rulers will become corrupt, our people careless... From the conclusion of this war we shall be going downhill. It will not then be necessary to resort every moment to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money, and will never think of uniting to affect a due respect for their rights. The shackles, therefore, will be made heavier and heavier, till our rights shall revive or expire in a convulsion.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Thinking, Rights
"The Works of Thomas Jefferson" by Thomas Jefferson, vol. 4 (Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786), oll.libertyfund.org. 1905.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.

Thomas Jefferson
Freedom, War, Patriotic
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence 1786-1787”, p.263, Cosimo, Inc.

I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever.

Thomas Jefferson
God, Country, War
Notes on the State of Virginia, query 18 (1781 - 1785)

Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, House
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution”, p.257, Algora Publishing

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.

Thomas Jefferson
Education, Freedom, War
Letter to Colonel Charles Yancey, 6 January 1816

Governments constantly choose between telling lies and fighting wars, with the end result always being the same. One will always lead to the other.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Lying

Born in the same land, we ought to live as brothers, doing to each other all the good we can, and not listening to wicked men, who may endeavor to make us enemies. By living in peace, we can help and prosper one another; by waging war, we can kill and destroy many on both sides; but those who survive will not be the happier for that.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, Brother, War
Thomas Jefferson, Richard Holland Johnston, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association of the United States “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”

If ever there was a holy war, it was that which saved our liberties and gave us independence.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Independence, Liberty
Thomas Jefferson (2004). “Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness”, p.45, Modern Library

Specie [gold and silver coin] is the most perfect medium because it will preserve its own level; because, having intrinsic and universal value, it can never die in our hands, and it is the surest resource of reliance in time of war.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Hands, Perfect
Thomas Jefferson (1900). “The Life and Writings of ...”

War...is as much a punishment to the punisher as to the sufferer.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Punishment
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution : Annotated Correspondence”, p.135, Algora Publishing

Commerce with all nations, alliance with none, should be our motto.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Liberty, Alliances
Thomas Jefferson (1829). “Memoir, correspondence, and miscellanies from the papers of T. Jefferson”, p.425

A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions of enormous public debt...If the game runs sometime against us at home, we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake.

Thomas Jefferson
Running, Peace, War
Letter to John Taylor, June 1798.

It is reasonable that everyone who asks justice should do justice

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, Integrity, War
Thomas Jefferson, Andrew M. Allison (1983). “The Real Thomas Jefferson”, Natl Center for Constitutional

Never [enter] into dispute or argument with another. I never yet saw an instance of one of two disputants convincing the other by argument. I have seen many on their getting warm, becoming rude and shooting one another.

Thomas Jefferson
Military, War, Men
Thomas Jefferson, Joyce Appleby, Terence Ball (1999). “Jefferson: Political Writings”, p.279, Cambridge University Press

A coward is much more exposed to quarrels than a man of spirit.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Men, Spirit
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786”, p.400, Cosimo, Inc.

The glow of one warm thought is to me worth more than money.

Thomas Jefferson
Money, War, Famous Inspirational
Thomas Jefferson, Jerry Holmes (2002). “Thomas Jefferson: A Chronology of His Thoughts”, p.18, Rowman & Littlefield

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Patriotic, Fire
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution : Annotated Correspondence”, p.140, Algora Publishing

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, Honesty, War
First Inaugural Address, 4 Mar. 1801

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

Thomas Jefferson
Wisdom, War, Government Debt
Thomas Jefferson (2010). “The Works of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence and Papers, 1816-1826”, p.184, Cosimo, Inc.

He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating it’s most sacred rights of life & liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating & carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation thither. this piratical warfare, the opprobrium of infidel powers, is the warfare of the christian king of Great Britain. determined to keep open a market where MEN should be bought & sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or to restrain this execrable commerce...

Thomas Jefferson
Christian, Kings, War
Thomas Jefferson’s “original Rough draught” of the Declaration of Independence, founders.archives.gov. June 11 – July 4, 1776.

I can scarcely contemplate a more incalculable evil than the breaking of the Union into two or more parts.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Two, Evil
Thomas Jefferson, Henry Augustine Washington (1854). “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Correspondence, contin”, p.363

We did not raise armies for glory or for conquest.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Army
Thomas Jefferson (1976). “Thomas Jefferson, revolutionary philosopher: a selection of writings”, Barron's Educational Series

Conquest is not in our principles. It is inconsistent with our government.

Thomas Jefferson
War, Government, Principles

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.

Thomas Jefferson
Peace, War, Loss
Letter to John Sinclair, 1798.