Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Jefferson states that enemies in war can become friends in peace.
In plain terms
Treat enemies as you would any other people in war and peace.
What can you take from it?
War and peace dictate how we treat others.

Where it applies

  • international relations
  • military strategy
  • peace negotiations

Putting it to work

  • diplomacy
  • conflict resolution
  • policy making

Questions to consider

  • How do nations transition from war to peace?
  • Can true reconciliation happen after conflict?

Another view

This ignores the complexity of post-war relationships.

More from Thomas Jefferson

  1. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with inherent and inalienable Rights; that amon…

    Permalink to quote #140
  2. And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes,…

    Permalink to quote #142
  3. When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume …

    Permalink to quote #139

Related quotes

  1. If any foreign minister begins to defend to the death a 'peace conference,' you can be sure his government has already placed its orders for new battleships an…

    Joseph StalinJoseph Stalin quote #2
  2. This may not be a just peace, but it is more just than the continuation of war - Alija Izetbegovic quoted on BBC News

    Alija IzetbegovicAlija Izetbegovic quote #4
  3. 'Now that they have achieved the capture of Hussein, they should appeal to the UN to come in with a multilateral redevelopment plan. This is all the more reaso…

    Al SharptonAl Sharpton quote #9