--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As a matter of fact, although we had some…" description: "\"As a matter of fact, although we had some terrible challenges and temptations when I was in office, we never dropped a bomb... we never launched a miss..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/jimmy-carter-479_bombs_as-a-matter-of-fact-although-we-had-some_1771518.jpg" --- # As a matter of fact, although we had some terrible… ![“As a matter of fact, although we had some terrible challenges and temptations when I was in office, we never dropped a bomb... we never launched a missile... and we never fired a bullet. I think that one of the main requirements for a strong military, like a strong submarine force, is to prevent…” quote by Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/jimmy-carter-479_bombs_as-a-matter-of-fact-although-we-had-some_1771518.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/jimmy-carter-479_bombs_as-a-matter-of-fact-although-we-had-some_1771518.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/587/jimmy-carter-479_bombs_as-a-matter-of-fact-although-we-had-some_1771518.jpg) > “As a matter of fact, although we had some terrible challenges and temptations when I was in office, we never dropped a bomb... we never launched a missile... and we never fired a bullet. I think that one of the main requirements for a strong military, like a strong submarine force, is to prevent war, not to cause war.” [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A strong defense should focus on preventing conflict rather than initiating it, emphasizing restraint over aggression. **In simple terms:** Military should aim to stop war, not start it. Key Takeaway Prioritize peace through deterrence. Themes peace deterrence military ethics conflict prevention Mood thoughtful serious Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy making - defense planning - international negotiations - military training Key Concepts strategic restraint security doctrine non‑aggression Questions to Reflect On - How can militaries balance readiness with restraint? - What safeguards prevent escalation? A Different Perspective Peaceful intentions can be undermined by political pressures or misinterpretations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bombs/) [Bullets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bullets/) [Cause War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cause-war-284194/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Matter of fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter-of-fact/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Missiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missiles/) [Office](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/office/) [Prevent War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prevent-war-553743/) [Requirements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/requirements/) [Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong/) [Strong Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-military-442237/) [Strong Submarine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strong-submarine-1783346/) [Submarine Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submarine-force-1783347/) [Submarines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/submarines/) [Temptation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temptation/) [Terrible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/terrible/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [When I assumed command of the Pacific Fleet in 31 December, 1941; our submarines were already operating against the enemy, the only units of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/when-i-assumed-command-of-the-pacific-fleet-in-31-december-1941-our/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [Our film examines the heroism, courage and prowess of the Soviet submarine force in ways never seen before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/our-film-examines-the-heroism-courage-and-prowess-of-the-soviet/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [Never tell anyone outside my staff that the Submarine Force and the First Air Fleet were responsible for the failure at Midway. The failure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isoroku-yamamoto/never-tell-anyone-outside-my-staff-that-the-submarine-force-and-the/) [Isoroku Yamamoto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isoroku-yamamoto/) > [The most important Bible teaching that I remembered when I was in the Navy and when I was Commander-in-Chief, was that we worshipped The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/the-most-important-bible-teaching-that-i-remembered-when-i-was-in-the/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [My faith has helped me to adjust to life whether I was a small farm boy, a submarine officer, governor, president or an ex-president.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/my-faith-has-helped-me-to-adjust-to-life-whether-i-was-a-small-farm/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Harry Truman was courageous enough to command that racial segregation be ended in the military. I was serving in a submarine in the U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/harry-truman-was-courageous-enough-to-command-that-racial-segregation/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Before I became President, in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, there had been fairly dramatic, and I think excessive, reductions in the capability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/before-i-became-president-in-the-aftermath-of-the-vietnam-war-there/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I have experienced the intensity of patriotism as a submarine officer, the ambitions of a competitive businessman, and the intensity of political debate. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-have-experienced-the-intensity-of-patriotism-as-a-submarine-officer/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I'm very, very so-called conservative on the military. I want a very, very strong military. I want to build up - you know, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-very-very-so-called-conservative-on-the-military-i-want-a-very/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [As we watch the world today, sometimes it seems that we're at the mercy of events instead of shaping events. And a strong America's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/as-we-watch-the-world-today-sometimes-it-seems-that-we-re-at-the/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [Of course, ISIS is a terrible organization that has to be defeated. And, of course, we need a strong military. But just as with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/of-course-isis-is-a-terrible-organization-that-has-to-be-defeated-and/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [The world relies upon, and America must rely upon, a strong military.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitt-romney/the-world-relies-upon-and-america-must-rely-upon-a-strong-military/) [Mitt Romney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitt-romney/) > [I have heard the critics. What they are spewing are lies, nothing more. My defense policy calls for an efficient and strong military for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/i-have-heard-the-critics-what-they-are-spewing-are-lies-nothing-more/) [Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/) > [I think we have got to have a strong economy. Got to have a strong military. We need to have good border security. Almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madison-cawthorn/i-think-we-have-got-to-have-a-strong-economy-got-to-have-a-strong/) [Madison Cawthorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madison-cawthorn/) > [Americans want a strong military but one that is extremely cautious about getting involved in war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-hemingway/americans-want-a-strong-military-but-one-that-is-extremely-cautious/) [Mollie Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-hemingway/) ## More by Jimmy Carter > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I think politicians really go with the tide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-politicians-really-go-with-the-tide/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Jesus never said a word about homosexuality. In all of his teachings about multiple things - he never said that gay people should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/jesus-never-said-a-word-about-homosexuality-in-all-of-his-teachings/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Penalties against possession of a drug should not be more damaging to an individual than the use of the drug itself, and where they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/penalties-against-possession-of-a-drug-should-not-be-more-damaging-to/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [No poor, rural, weak, or black person should ever again have to bear the additional burden of being deprived of the opportunity for an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/no-poor-rural-weak-or-black-person-should-ever-again-have-to-bear-the/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Our individual fates are linked our futures intertwined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/our-individual-fates-are-linked-our-futures-intertwined/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Southerners, whose ancestors a hundred years ago knew the horrors of a homeland devastated by war, are particularly determined that war shall never come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/southerners-whose-ancestors-a-hundred-years-ago-knew-the-horrors-of-a/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I think the most challenging thing for me in my life and in the Bible is that we worship Jesus as the Prince of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-think-the-most-challenging-thing-for-me-in-my-life-and-in-the-bible/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Faith implies a continuing search, not necessarily a final answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/faith-implies-a-continuing-search-not-necessarily-a-final-answer/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I don't want to tell President Obama how to make a speech. He's a much better speech maker than I am. But I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-don-t-want-to-tell-president-obama-how-to-make-a-speech-he-s-a-much/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [We must make it clear that a platform of 'I hate gay men and women' is not a way to become president of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/we-must-make-it-clear-that-a-platform-of-i-hate-gay-men-and-women-is/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [I have a very real political awareness that at least on a transient basis the more drastic action taken by the president, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-have-a-very-real-political-awareness-that-at-least-on-a-transient/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Everyone has a right to peaceful coexistence, the basic personal freedoms, the alleviation of suffering, and the opportunity to lead a productive life...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/everyone-has-a-right-to-peaceful-coexistence-the-basic-personal/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [Energy will be the immediate test of our ability to unite this Nation, and it can also be the standard around which we rally.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/energy-will-be-the-immediate-test-of-our-ability-to-unite-this-nation/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) [Explore all 532 Jimmy Carter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) ## More Bombs quotes > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [ No wonder that Churchill described this effort \[the British codebreakers working at Bletchley Park\] as "Britian"s secret weapon," a weapon far more effective than… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-hilton/no-wonder-that-churchill-described-this-effort-the-british/) [Peter Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-hilton/) > [There is an idea that you can take the spiritual teachings of a religion outside of a religion and practice them; these ideas are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seyyed-hossein-nasr/there-is-an-idea-that-you-can-take-the-spiritual-teachings-of-a/) [Seyyed Hossein Nasr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seyyed-hossein-nasr/) > [In 2001, we were told that the war in Afghanistan was a feminist mission. The marines were liberating Afghan women from the Taliban. Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/in-2001-we-were-told-that-the-war-in-afghanistan-was-a-feminist/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [The pace of science forces the pace of technique. Theoretical physics forces atomic energy on us; the successful production of the fission bomb forces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-pace-of-science-forces-the-pace-of-technique-theoretical-physics/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [We're not going to cure terrorism and spread peace and goodwill in the Middle East by killing innocent people, or I'm not even saying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/we-re-not-going-to-cure-terrorism-and-spread-peace-and-goodwill-in/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [I call on the Iranian people: it is not too late to replace the corrupt regime and return to your glorious Persian heritage, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shimon-peres/i-call-on-the-iranian-people-it-is-not-too-late-to-replace-the/) [Shimon Peres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shimon-peres/) > [My God! The English language is a form of communication! 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Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Our military superiority is so great - it's far greater than it was in the Gulf War, and the Gulf War was over in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/our-military-superiority-is-so-great-it-s-far-greater-than-it-was-in/) [William J. Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-clinton/) [Browse all 1,253 Bombs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bombs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "As a matter of fact, although we had some terrible challenges and temptations when I was in office, we never dropped a bomb... we never launched a missile... and we never fired a bullet. 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