We prefer war in all cases to tribute under any form and to any people whatever.
Interpretation
Jefferson advocates for maintaining freedom and autonomy over submission or tribute to external powers.
This quote reflects Thomas Jefferson's strong belief in the importance of national sovereignty and independence. By stating that he would prefer war over paying tribute, Jefferson emphasizes the idea that a nation should not compromise its freedom or self-determination, even in the face of conflict, rather than bowing to another power's demands. It highlights a fundamental principle of standing against oppression and valuing liberty above all.
In practice
In a discussion about national pride, one might reference Jefferson's quote to support the idea of standing firm against oppression.
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
βWe must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
Progress just means bad things happen faster.
Some of us still get all weepy when we think about the Gaia Hypothesis, the idea that earth is a big furry goddess-creature who resembles everybody's mom in that she knows what's best for us. But if you look at the historical record - Krakatoa, Mt. Vesuvius, Hurricane Charley, poison ivy, and so forth down the ages - you have to ask yourself: Whose side is she on, anyway?
Given the infinite number of coincidences that could happen, very few ever actually do. The universe exists in a coincidence-hating state of anti-fluke.
Let my thoughts come to you, when I am gone, like the afterglow of sunset at the margin of starry silence.
To tax the larger incomes at a higher percentage than the smaller, is to lay a tax on industry and economy; to impose a penalty on people for having worked harder and saved more than their neighbors.
One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And Death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.
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