--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A powerful Navy we have always regarded…" description: "\"A powerful Navy we have always regarded as our proper and natural means of defense; and it has always been of defense that we have thought, never of ag..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/woodrow-wilson-534_aggression_a-powerful-navy-we-have-always-regarded_1582421.png" --- # A powerful Navy we have always regarded as our proper and… ![“A powerful Navy we have always regarded as our proper and natural means of defense; and it has always been of defense that we have thought, never of aggression or of conquest. But who shall tell us now what sort of Navy to build? We shall take leave to be strong upon the seas, in the future as in…” quote by Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/woodrow-wilson-534_aggression_a-powerful-navy-we-have-always-regarded_1582421.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/woodrow-wilson-534_aggression_a-powerful-navy-we-have-always-regarded_1582421.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/435/woodrow-wilson-534_aggression_a-powerful-navy-we-have-always-regarded_1582421.png) > “A powerful Navy we have always regarded as our proper and natural means of defense; and it has always been of defense that we have thought, never of aggression or of conquest. But who shall tell us now what sort of Navy to build? We shall take leave to be strong upon the seas, in the future as in the past; and there will be no thought of offense or provocation in that. Our ships are our natural bulwarks.” [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Navy should be a defensive force, not an instrument of aggression; its purpose is protection. **In simple terms:** Navy is for defense, not attack. Key Takeaway Prioritize defensive maritime strategy. Themes defense military policy national security Mood strategic historical Type political military When to use this quote - coastal protection - anti‑piracy missions - humanitarian aid Key Concepts deterrence balance of power strategic doctrine Questions to Reflect On - How can a navy balance defense with necessary deterrence? - What are the risks of a purely defensive posture? A Different Perspective Focusing only on defense may limit strategic flexibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aggression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggression/) [Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conquest/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Navy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/navy/) [Past](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/past/) [Provocation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provocation/) [Sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sea/) [United states navy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states-navy/) ## Related quotes > [Our national defense will be consolidated and no imperialist will be allowed to invade our territory again. Our People's armed forces must be maintained…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mao-zedong/our-national-defense-will-be-consolidated-and-no-imperialist-will-be/) [Mao Zedong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mao-zedong/) > [A good Navy is not a provocation to war. It is the surest guaranty of peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/a-good-navy-is-not-a-provocation-to-war-it-is-the-surest-guaranty-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [It has been more than 30 years since this disgraceful episode occurred, and I believe that the United States government should demand the return…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-allard/it-has-been-more-than-30-years-since-this-disgraceful-episode/) [Wayne Allard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-allard/) > [Events of October 1962 indicated, as they had all through history, that control of the sea means security. Control of the seas can mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/events-of-october-1962-indicated-as-they-had-all-through-history-that/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [I have an honorable discharge from the United States Navy. Hillary Clinton don't have one. Bill Clinton don't have one. Trump don't have one.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-ventura/i-have-an-honorable-discharge-from-the-united-states-navy-hillary/) [Jesse Ventura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-ventura/) > [...without a Respectable Navy, Alas America!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-paul-jones/without-a-respectable-navy-alas-america/) [John Paul Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-paul-jones/) > [It follows then as certain as that night succeeds the day, that without a decisive naval force we can do nothing definitive, and with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/it-follows-then-as-certain-as-that-night-succeeds-the-day-that/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [The United States Navy carries the might and the mission of America to the farthest parts of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/the-united-states-navy-carries-the-might-and-the-mission-of-america/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [You may fire when you are ready Gridley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-dewey/you-may-fire-when-you-are-ready-gridley/) George Dewey > [\*\*\*\* the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-farragut/the-torpedoes-full-speed-ahead/) David Farragut > [The United States Navy is of critical importance to the defense of this country and to maintaining freedom of the seas internationally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-c-o-brien/the-united-states-navy-is-of-critical-importance-to-the-defense-of/) [Robert C. O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-c-o-brien/) > [The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chester-w-nimitz/the-battle-of-iwo-island-has-been-won-the-united-states-marines-by/) [Chester W. Nimitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chester-w-nimitz/) > [“After the Second World War, San Francisco was the main point of re-entry for sailors returning from the Pacific. Out at sea, many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-eugenides/after-the-second-world-war-san-francisco-was-the-main-point-of-re/) [Jeffrey Eugenides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-eugenides/) > [I've received many honors and I'm grateful for them; but I've already received the highest award I'll ever receive, and that has been the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-hopper/i-ve-received-many-honors-and-i-m-grateful-for-them-but-i-ve-already/) [Grace Hopper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-hopper/) > [“On November 2, 1899, eight members of the United States Navy were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism and service beyond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/captain-hank-bracker-the-exciting-story-of-cuba/on-november-2-1899-eight-members-of-the-united-states-navy-were/) [Captain Hank Bracker, The Exciting Story of Cuba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/captain-hank-bracker-the-exciting-story-of-cuba/) ## More by Woodrow Wilson > [If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if fifteen minutes, three days; if half an hour, two days;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/if-i-am-to-speak-ten-minutes-i-need-a-week-for-preparation-if-fifteen/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [There is here a great melting pot in which we must compound a precious metal. That metal is the metal of nationality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/there-is-here-a-great-melting-pot-in-which-we-must-compound-a/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [One cannot pay the price of self-respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/one-cannot-pay-the-price-of-self-respect/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [I would rather lose in a cause that will some day win, than win in a cause that will some day lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/i-would-rather-lose-in-a-cause-that-will-some-day-win-than-win-in-a/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [I have received delegations of working men who, apparently speaking with the utmost sincerity, have declared that they would regard it as a genuine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/i-have-received-delegations-of-working-men-who-apparently-speaking/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [Absolute identity with one's cause is the first and great condition of successful leadership.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/absolute-identity-with-one-s-cause-is-the-first-and-great-condition/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [America cannot be an ostrich with its head in the sand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/america-cannot-be-an-ostrich-with-its-head-in-the-sand/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [...We are intensely proud of their noble record and are glad to have had the whole world see how irresistible they are in their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/we-are-intensely-proud-of-their-noble-record-and-are-glad-to-have-had/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [ The facts of the case will always have the better of \[an\] argument. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/the-facts-of-the-case-will-always-have-the-better-of-an-argument/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [The greatest embarrassment of my political career has been that active duties seem to deprive me of time for careful investigation. I seem almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/the-greatest-embarrassment-of-my-political-career-has-been-that/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [Some Americans need hyphens in their names because only part of them has come over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/some-americans-need-hyphens-in-their-names-because-only-part-of-them/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [The history of liberty is the history of limitations on the power of government, not the increase of it. When we resist, therefore, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/the-history-of-liberty-is-the-history-of-limitations-on-the-power-of/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [When I think of the flag… I see alternate strips of parchment upon which are written the rights of liberty and justice, and stripes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/when-i-think-of-the-flag-i-see-alternate-strips-of-parchment-upon/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [If I am to speak ten minutes, I need a week for preparation; if an hour, I am ready now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/if-i-am-to-speak-ten-minutes-i-need-a-week-for-preparation-if-an-hour/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) > [Energy in a nation is like sap in a tree; it rises from bottom up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woodrow-wilson/energy-in-a-nation-is-like-sap-in-a-tree-it-rises-from-bottom-up/) [Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) [Explore all 492 Woodrow Wilson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woodrow-wilson/) ## More Aggression quotes > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I used to fight with hate. There's been a lot of aggression in my past growing up and stuff. That's because I was hurt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rose-namajunas/i-used-to-fight-with-hate-there-s-been-a-lot-of-aggression-in-my-past/) [Rose Namajunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rose-namajunas/) > [We have nothing in our history or position to invite aggression; we have everything to beckon us to the cultivation of relations of peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-have-nothing-in-our-history-or-position-to-invite-aggression-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I take up the standpoint that the tendency to aggression is an innate, independent, instinctual disposition in man, and I come back now to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sigmund-freud/i-take-up-the-standpoint-that-the-tendency-to-aggression-is-an-innate/) [Sigmund Freud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sigmund-freud/) > [Boxing can be so important to young people, it keeps you off the street and you can channel your energy and aggression in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-benn/boxing-can-be-so-important-to-young-people-it-keeps-you-off-the/) [Nigel Benn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-benn/) > [“That which is of great value cannot be attained through aggression. You will be able to find the mystery of life only if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/that-which-is-of-great-value-cannot-be-attained-through-aggression/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [A society that presumes a norm of violence and celebrates aggression, whether in the subway, on the football field, or in the conduct of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-h-lapham/a-society-that-presumes-a-norm-of-violence-and-celebrates-aggression/) [Lewis H. Lapham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-h-lapham/) > [I can remember watching MTV Cribs - these amazing houses - and looking around my house where there was no carpet on the floors.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bugzy-malone/i-can-remember-watching-mtv-cribs-these-amazing-houses-and-looking/) [Bugzy Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bugzy-malone/) > [Nationalism, on my opinion, is nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nationalism-on-my-opinion-is-nothing-more-than-an-idealistic/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I really like battle ropes. They're so versatile; you can get a terrific workout doing a ton of different exercises with them. My clients…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-peterson/i-really-like-battle-ropes-they-re-so-versatile-you-can-get-a/) [Gunnar Peterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-peterson/) > [ Now they \[the Powers\] have started the aggression, and the extinction of our nation is imminent. If we just fold our arms and yield… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/empress-dowager-cixi/now-they-the-powers-have-started-the-aggression-and-the-extinction-of/) Empress Dowager Cixi > [I'm not going to appeal to violence or aggression - of course not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexei-navalny/i-m-not-going-to-appeal-to-violence-or-aggression-of-course-not/) [Alexei Navalny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexei-navalny/) > [This is passive-aggression in action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/this-is-passive-aggression-in-action/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [When a child hits a child, we call it aggression. When a child hits an adult, we call it hostility. When an adult hits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-a-child-hits-a-child-we-call-it-aggression-when-a-child-hits-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Major international interventions are doomed unless the US is directly or indirectly involved. But if American politicians, officials and servicemen are to be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/major-international-interventions-are-doomed-unless-the-us-is/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) [Browse all 860 Aggression quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aggression/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A powerful Navy we have always regarded as our proper and natural means of defense; and it has always been of defense that we have thought, never of aggression or of conquest. But who shall tell us now what sort of Navy to build? 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