Thanks. That remark by Jefferson is new to me. So I looked it up. For those who might be interested, here’s the full quote:
“I have ever deemed it fundamental for the United States never to take active part in the quarrels of Europe. Their political interests are entirely distinct from ours. Their mutual jealousies, their balance of power, their complicated alliances, their forms and principles of government, are all foreign to us. They are nations of eternal war. All their energies are expended in the destruction of the labor, property and lives of their people.”
Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 1823.
Thank you for that correction.