The most successful war seldom pays for its losses.
Interpretation
Success in conflict often comes at a high cost that may outweigh the benefits.
This quote by Thomas Jefferson suggests that while a war may be won, the losses incurred during the conflict can overshadow any gains achieved. It highlights the idea that the consequences of war—such as loss of life, destruction, and long-term repercussions—often outweigh any temporary victories or successes. The wisdom here is a caution against pursuing conflict recklessly, as the cost of success in war can be devastating and sometimes unjustifiable.
In practice
In a discussion about the implications of military action, you can quote Jefferson to emphasize the high costs of war.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
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Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
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every pleasure's got an edge of pain, pay your ticket and don't complain
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