21. “Over grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particularly hostile to republican liberty.” -George Washington
22. “The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.” -George Washington
23. “Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.” -George Washington
24. “It is our true policy to steer clear of entangling alliances with any portion of the foreign world.” -George Washington
25. “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force…Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.” -George Washington
26. “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.” -George Washington
27. “My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth.” -George Washington
28. “Wars are not paid for in wartime, the bill comes later.” -Benjamin Franklin
29. “A highwayman is as much a robber when he plunders in a gang as when single; and a nation that makes an unjust war is only a great gang.” -Benjamin Franklin
30. “I hope….that mankind will at length, as they call themselves responsible creatures, have the reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats…” -Benjamin Franklin
31. “When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?” -Benjamin Franklin
32. “All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones.” -Benjamin Franklin
33. “There never was a good war or a bad peace.” -Benjamin Franklin
34. “Those who give up essential liberties for temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” -Benjamin Franklin
35. “Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war.” -John Adams
36. “Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak…” -John Adams
37. “A people free to choose will always choose peace.” -Ronald Reagan
38. “The defense policy of the United States is based on a simple premise: The United States does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor.” -Ronald Reagan
39. “History teaches that war begins when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap.” -Ronald Reagan
40. “Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.” -Ronald Reagan