Founding father "Don't go looking for dragons to slay" quote?

[Knightskye]

Remember when Paul said in a debate, "Don't go looking for dragons to slay"?

There's a quote similar to that by one of the founding fathers, but I forgot what it was. Do you know which one it is?

[0zzy]

That was not a founding father, but a founding son.

John Quincy Adams, son of founding father John Adams, was quoted as saying, "Americans should not go abroad to slay dragons they do not understand in the name of spreading democracy." during his tenure as Secretary of State under the James Monroe administration.

[spudea]

I think i remember RP referencing Thomas Jefferson in that quote.

[Knightskye]

That was not a founding father, but a founding son.

John Quincy Adams, son of founding father John Adams, was quoted as saying, "Americans should not go abroad to slay dragons they do not understand in the name of spreading democracy." during his tenure as Secretary of State under the James Monroe administration.

I'm thinking of a shorter quote than that, but thank you.

[0zzy]

I'm thinking of a shorter quote than that, but thank you.

I think Paul has just been using an abridged version of the quote for practical purposes.

[Knightskye]

I think Paul has just been using an abridged version of the quote for practical purposes.

I know, but I thought I remember reading a quote by one of the founding fathers that was similar, but short.

[Aratus]

JQA's quote is quite cool, and he may have known who made the earlier quip!

[MRoCkEd]

JQA also said, "she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy."

[Knightskye]

Ah. Here it is.


America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy.
John Quincy Adams

It was John Quincy. Thanks, guys. :)