--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By nature's law, man is at peace with man…" description: "\"By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy.\" —..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/thomas-jefferson-43_aggression_by-nature-s-law-man-is-at-peace-with-man_2567917.jpg" --- # By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some… ![“By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/thomas-jefferson-43_aggression_by-nature-s-law-man-is-at-peace-with-man_2567917.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/thomas-jefferson-43_aggression_by-nature-s-law-man-is-at-peace-with-man_2567917.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/304/thomas-jefferson-43_aggression_by-nature-s-law-man-is-at-peace-with-man_2567917.jpg) > “By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy.” [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. Humans coexist peacefully until aggression breaks the natural order, then violence is justified against the aggressor. **In simple terms:** Peace lasts until someone attacks; then retaliation is allowed. Key Takeaway Recognize the role of aggression in conflict. Themes peace aggression justice Mood reflective serious Type philosophical political When to use this quote - personal disputes - international relations - self‑defense - law enforcement Key Concepts social contract moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - When is aggression justified? - How can peace be maintained without retaliation? A Different Perspective Aggression may be provoked, making retaliation morally complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aggression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggression/) [Aggression Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggression-committed-1665403/) [Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/committed/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Man Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-peace-300465/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Nature Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-law-1485748/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Till Aggression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/till-aggression-1665404/) ## Related quotes > [By nature's law, every man has a right to seize and retake by force his own property taken from him by another, by force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/by-nature-s-law-every-man-has-a-right-to-seize-and-retake-by-force/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It is nature's law that rivers wind, trees grow wood, and, given the opportunity, women work iniquity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buddha-sutta-pitaka/it-is-nature-s-law-that-rivers-wind-trees-grow-wood-and-given-the/) [Buddha Sutta-Pitaka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buddha-sutta-pitaka/) > [Do not talk to me of goodness, of abstract justice, of nature law. 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