Amendment Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“I believe from what I have lately seen that we should be substantially safe were our Citizens Armed, but we have not as many Arms as we have Enemies in the State.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to James Madison, 1794
Advocates strong defense, suggesting citizens should be well-armed relative to enemies
In simple terms: Citizens should be armed more than enemies
Key Takeaway
Ensure citizen armament exceeds enemy threats
Themes
defense
citizen rights
security
Mood
cautious
defensive
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- national policy
- public safety
- legislation
- community preparedness
Key Concepts
militarism
civil liberty
deterrence
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance safety and liberty?
- What limits should exist on armament?
A Different Perspective
May provoke arms race or infringe liberties
![“I have never had any [enemies] other than those of the state.” quote by Cardinal Richelieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/163/cardinal-richelieu-18456_enemy_i-have-never-had-any-enemies-other-than_1666310.jpg)
![“[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)
