It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall

In the vast, unfolding tapestry of time, there is a truth that has been whispered through the ages, a truth that is as ancient as the first fires lit in the dark and as urgent as the storms that shape the heavens. It is the wisdom expressed by Thomas Jefferson in his words: "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." These words are not simply a call to arms, nor merely a message about the nature of conflict. They are, instead, a reflection of a deeper moral understanding, one that speaks to the essence of duty, responsibility, and survival.

In the simplicity of Jefferson’s analogy—"if our house be on fire"—there lies a profound truth about the human condition. When disaster strikes, when the forces of destruction descend upon us, we are no longer bound by questions of blame. The fire does not care whether it was sparked by a storm, by an enemy, or by a careless hand. It simply burns, consuming all in its path. In the same way, when war comes, it is no longer time to debate its origins or seek justice for its cause. The imperative is clear: we must act swiftly and resolutely, for the preservation of our own lives and the lives of those we hold dear. War, like fire, spreads with a mind of its own, indifferent to the intentions that birthed it.

Consider the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the moment when the first shots of the American Revolution rang out in the air, echoing across the land. The colonists, who had long sought peace and reconciliation with the British crown, suddenly found themselves thrust into conflict, the flames of war kindled by forces outside their control. The colonists did not stop to ask who had set the fire, but instead, they took up arms to defend their homes, their families, and their futures. They understood the deep truth in Jefferson's words—that once the fire of war is ignited, survival and defense become the only priority. The moment of questioning was past; the moment of action had arrived.

But Jefferson’s message is not merely one of defense—it is also a call for wisdom and foresight. He reminds us that it is the duty of every person, every nation, to seek peace and avoid conflict whenever possible. For in the seeking of peace, in the building of bridges, there is the potential to prevent the fires from ever being lit. The greatest strength of a people is not in their ability to wage war, but in their capacity to avoid it. However, when the forces of destruction come, when peace fails, then it is the duty of all to rise and meet the threat with courage, unity, and resolve.

Look, too, to the Second World War, when, despite the desperate cries for peace, the world was engulfed by flames of conflict. Nations, large and small, were drawn into a struggle of unprecedented scale. The world watched as the darkness of tyranny sought to consume the light of liberty. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, nations, like individuals, had to answer the call to defend their homes. The Axis powers, in their aggression, had kindled a fire that could not be ignored. The defense of freedom became the battle cry, the call to arms for those who believed in the sanctity of life and the right to self-determination.

In these moments of strife, let us take heed of the wisdom handed down through history: we must strive for peace, but when peace is no longer within our grasp, we must not falter. The fire of war is indiscriminate, and in the face of it, the question of "who is at fault" becomes meaningless. What matters is the strength of our will to preserve what is good, what is sacred, and what is just. If we are to protect our homes, our families, and our way of life, we must act with unwavering resolve. To hesitate in the face of destruction is to allow it to consume all that we hold dear.

And so, we learn from Jefferson’s words the balance of wisdom and strength: we must seek peace, but in the face of war, we must stand firm. We must not let the fires of conflict rage unchecked, but extinguish them with all the might at our disposal. In our own lives, we must be vigilant against the small sparks of discord, the subtle threats that may one day grow into something greater. In our relationships, our communities, and our nations, let us be wise enough to prevent the fire from starting, but resolute enough to fight when the time comes.

In this, we find the true measure of courage: not in the eagerness for battle, but in the willingness to protect, to preserve, and to stand for what is right. Let us be defenders of peace, but when that peace is threatened, let us be resolute in defense of what we cherish most. In this, we will find not only the strength to survive, but the wisdom to build a future where the fires of war no longer burn.