--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Although our prospect is peace, our…" description: "\"Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.\" — Thomas Je..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/thomas-jefferson-43_competent_although-our-prospect-is-peace-our-polic_1617539.jpg" --- # Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are… ![“Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/thomas-jefferson-43_competent_although-our-prospect-is-peace-our-polic_1617539.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/thomas-jefferson-43_competent_although-our-prospect-is-peace-our-polic_1617539.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/004/thomas-jefferson-43_competent_although-our-prospect-is-peace-our-polic_1617539.jpg) > “Although our prospect is peace, our policy and purpose are to provide for defense by all those means to which our resources are competent.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Peace is the ultimate goal, but defense is necessary using resources allow, balancing idealism with pragmatism. **In simple terms:** Peace is ideal; defense is practical. Key Takeaway Balance peace aspirations with realistic defense. Themes politics peace defense pragmatism Mood cautious thoughtful Type political strategic When to use this quote - policy making - military budgeting - diplomatic negotiations - public debates Key Concepts realist theory ethical governance Questions to Reflect On - How do we ensure defense does not eclipse peace? - What criteria should guide resource allocation for defense? A Different Perspective May justify excessive militarism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Competent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competent/) [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [National defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-defense/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-policy-1400553/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Prospect Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prospect-peace-3017997/) [Provide Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provide-defense-5105694/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Resources](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources/) [Resources Competent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resources-competent-6166596/) ## Related quotes > [There can be no limitation of that authority which is to provide for the defense and protection of the community in any matter essential…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-hamilton/there-can-be-no-limitation-of-that-authority-which-is-to-provide-for/) [Alexander Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-hamilton/) > [I will not shy away from the prospect of peace because I believe our people, and any people, should have something to believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benny-gantz/i-will-not-shy-away-from-the-prospect-of-peace-because-i-believe-our/) [Benny Gantz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benny-gantz/) > [I am beginning to rub my eyes at the prospect of peace. 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James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Competent quotes > [Almost everywhere we find . . . the use of various coercive measures, to rid ourselves as quickly as possible of the child withinus--i.e.,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-miller/almost-everywhere-we-find-the-use-of-various-coercive-measures-to-rid/) [Alice Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-miller/) > [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. 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