Adverse Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The spirit of this country is totally adverse to a large military force.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence on National Defense, 1790
Argues that a large standing army conflicts with the nation's principles.
In simple terms: Large armies threaten liberty.
Key Takeaway
Favor citizen militias over professional armies.
Themes
freedom
military
citizenry
government
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
historical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- defense budgeting
- public discourse
Key Concepts
republicanism
civil-military relations
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a citizen militia sufficient today?
- How balance liberty with security?
A Different Perspective
Modern threats may require professional forces.
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