Business Quote by Thomas Jefferson
““I wish that all nations may recover and retain their independence; that those which are overgrown may not advance beyond safe measures of power, that a salutary balance may be ever maintained among nations, and that our peace, commerce, and friendship, may be sought and cultivated by all. It is our business to manufacture for ourselves whatever we can, to keep our markets open for what we can spare or want; and the less we have to do with the amities or enmities of Europe, the better. Not in our day, but at no distant one, we may shake a rod over the heads of all, which may make the stoutest of them tremble. But I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power, the greater it will be .””
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with James Madison, 1795
Nations should preserve independence, balance power, and limit reliance on foreign entanglements to maintain peace and prosperity
In simple terms: Countries need autonomy, balanced power, and limited foreign dependence
Key Takeaway
Promote self‑reliance and balanced international relations
Themes
sovereignty
balance of power
economics
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- trade policy
- defense strategy
- foreign aid
- national self‑sufficiency
Key Concepts
realism
liberalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the risks of too much self‑reliance?
- How can nations balance power without aggression?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on isolation can hinder beneficial cooperation
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