Aggression Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“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.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f27/thomas-jefferson-43_aggression_i-am-ever-unwilling-that-peace-should-be_563504.jpg)
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence, 1799, Thomas Jefferson to John Adams
Advocates peace but accepts war when necessary, emphasizing moral justification and national interests
In simple terms: Peace preferred, war justified when defending rights
Key Takeaway
Defend rights, justify war morally
Themes
peace
war
justice
national interests
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- defending sovereignty
- international conflict
- alliance formation
Key Concepts
realpolitik
ethical justification
diplomacy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is war truly justified?
- How can nations maintain moral high ground in conflict?
A Different Perspective
War may cause unintended suffering despite justification
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
![“Now they [the Powers] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield to them, I would have no face to see our ancestors after death. If we must perish, why not fight to the death?” quote by Empress Dowager Cixi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/947/empress-dowager-cixi-68177_after-death_now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-agg_53275.jpg)
