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.
You see, the outcome of the battle is unimportant. What matters is the chaos, and the slaughter.
...the self-satisfied dogmatism with which mankind at each period of its history cherishes the delusion of the finality of existing modes of knowledge.
Every rebellion against suffering is fed by the subversive power of remembered suffering.
It is very sad to me that some people are so intent on leaving their mark on the world that they donβt care if that mark is a scar.
Those who would send out thousands of questionnaires asking the unconverted what they would desire most in a worship service should realize that ten thousand unanimous opinions of carnal men do not carry the authority of one jot or tittle of God's Word.
I do not want to make my stomach a graveyard of dead animals.
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