Thomas Jefferson Quotes on War & Peace (17 Quotes)

That peace, safety, and concord may be the portion of our native land, and be long enjoyed by our fellow-citizens, is the most ardent wish of my heart, and if I can be instrumental in procuring or preserving them, I shall think I have not lived in va

Our constitution is a peace establishment it is not calculated for war. War would endanger its existence.

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.

War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses.

It is unfortunate for our peace, that unmerited abuse wounds, while unmerited praise has not the power to heal.

Whatever enables us to go to war, secures our peace

The loss of the battle of Waterloo was the salvation of France

Peace and abstinence from European interferences are our objects, and so will continue while the present order of things in America remain uninterrupted.

Ignorance is a poor tool in a battle of wits.

I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government I mean an additional article taking from the Federal Government the power of borrowing. I now deny their power of making paper money or anything else a legal tender. I know that to pay all proper expenses within the year would, in case of war, be hard on us. But not so hard as ten wars instead of one. For wars could be reduced in that proportion besides that the State governments would be free to lend their credit in borrowing quotas.

I have the consolation to reflect that during the period of my administration not a drop of the blood of a single fellow citizen was shed by the sword of war or of the law.

It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.

My views and feelings (are) in favor of the abolition of war and I hope it is practicable, by improving the mind and morals of society, tolessen the disposition to war but of its abolition I despair.

Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever state or persuasion, religious or political peace, commerce, and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none the support of the State governments in all their rights, as the most competent administrations for our domestic concerns, and the surest bulwarks against anti-republican tendencies the preservation of the general government in its whole constitutional vigour, as the sheet anchor of our peace at home and safety abroad ... freedom of religion freedom of the press freedom of person under the protection of the habeas corpus and trial by juries impartially selected, these principles form the bright constellation which has gone before us, and guided our steps through an age of revolution and reformation.

Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.

Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations; entangling alliances with none.

Believing that happiness of mankind is best promoted by the useful pursuits of peace, that on these alone a stable prosperity can be founded, that the evils of war are great in their endurance, and have a long reckoning for ages to come, I have used