Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe…
“Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He argues that personal safety and property outweigh abstract ideals of war, rejecting violent conflict for material gain.
In simple terms: Personal safety beats abstract war goals.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize protecting life and property.
Themes
peace
war
property
ethics
Mood
defensive
reflective
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- home invasion
- personal threat
- civil unrest
- legal defense
Key Concepts
Moral philosophy
rights
self‑defense
Questions to Reflect On
- Is any war ever justified when personal safety is at stake?
- How do we balance collective ideals with individual security?
A Different Perspective
War may be justified by broader political aims, not just personal loss.