I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved. But whensoever hostile aggressions on these require a resort to war, we must meet our duty and convince the world that we are just friends and brave enemies.
Thomas Jefferson, Brett F. Woods (2009). “Thomas Jefferson: Thoughts on War and Revolution : Annotated Correspondence”, p.205, Algora Publishing
![I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved. But whensoever hostile aggressions on these require a resort to war, we must meet our duty and](http://cdn.quoteddaily.com/images/thomas-jefferson/i-am-ever-unwilling-that-peace-should-be-disturbed-as-long-asthe-rights-and-interests-of-the-nations-can-be.jpg)