Armed Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army”
About This Quote
A nation must be armed to avoid needing a permanent standing army.
In simple terms: Armed citizens can replace a standing army.
Key Takeaway
Consider citizen militias over permanent forces.
Themes
defense
citizenship
military
Mood
defensive
thoughtful
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- national policy
- civil defense
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
republicanism
security
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a standing army ever justified?
- What are the risks of citizen militias?
A Different Perspective
Standing armies can provide stability and deterrence.
![“This [a state militia system] appears to me the only substitute that can be devised for a standing army, and the best possible security against it, if it should exist.” quote by Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/86a/alexander-hamilton-619_2-amendment_this-a-state-militia-system-appears-to-m_756387.jpg)
![“[Standing armies] constantly threaten other nations with war by giving the appearance that they are prepared for it, which goads nations into competing with one another in the number of men under arms, and this practice knows no bounds. And since the costs related to maintaining peace will in this…” quote by Immanuel Kant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f93/immanuel-kant-532_war_standing-armies-constantly-threaten-othe_1996298.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)
