---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If we suffer ourselves to be frightened…"
description: "\"If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what one so cheap to those of whose sys..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/thomas-jefferson-43_enemy_if-we-suffer-ourselves-to-be-frightened_943380.jpg"
---

#  If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by…

![“If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what one so cheap to those of whose system of politics morality makes no part?” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/thomas-jefferson-43_enemy_if-we-suffer-ourselves-to-be-frightened_943380.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/thomas-jefferson-43_enemy_if-we-suffer-ourselves-to-be-frightened_943380.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cf0/thomas-jefferson-43_enemy_if-we-suffer-ourselves-to-be-frightened_943380.jpg)

> “If we suffer ourselves to be frightened from our post by mere lying, surely the enemy will use that weapon; for what one so cheap to those of whose system of politics morality makes no part?”

[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.

Deception weakens resolve and lets enemies exploit fear; truth is essential for political morality.

**In simple terms:** Lying makes us vulnerable to enemies.

Key Takeaway

Guard against fear, seek truth.

Themes

politics morality fear deception

Mood

cautious serious

Type

political philosophical

When to use this quote

- campaigns
- public discourse
- policy making

Key Concepts

political strategy psychology ethics

Questions to Reflect On

- How does fear shape political decisions?
- What truth can counteract deception?

A Different Perspective

Truth alone may not sway entrenched power structures.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/)

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