“We took the liberty to make some enquiries concerning the ground of their pretensions to make war upon nations who had done them no injury, and observed that we considered all mankind as our friends who had done us no wrong, nor had given us any provocation.
The Ambassador [of Tripoli] answered us that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.
{Letter from the commissioners, John Adams & Thomas Jefferson, to John Jay, 28 March 1786}”
― Letters of Thomas Jefferson
The Ambassador [of Tripoli] answered us that it was founded on the Laws of their Prophet, that it was written in their Koran, that all nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon them wherever they could be found, and to make slaves of all they could take as Prisoners, and that every Musselman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.
{Letter from the commissioners, John Adams & Thomas Jefferson, to John Jay, 28 March 1786}”
― Letters of Thomas Jefferson
“I hope she'll be a fool -- that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.”
― The Great Gatsby
― The Great Gatsby
“I'm sick of just liking people. I wish to God I could meet somebody I could respect.”
― Franny and Zooey
― Franny and Zooey
Our Shared Shelf
— 222827 members
— last activity May 18, 2026 10:32AM
OUR SHARED SHELF IS CURRENTLY DORMANT AND NOT MANAGED BY EMMA AND HER TEAM. Dear Readers, As part of my work with UN Women, I have started reading ...more
Stephanie’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Stephanie’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Biography, Book Club, Business, Chick-lit, Classics, Contemporary, Cookbooks, Crime, Fiction, Graphic novels, Historical fiction, History, Horror, Humor and Comedy, Memoir, Music, Mystery, Non-fiction, Paranormal, Philosophy, Psychology, Religion, Romance, Science, Self help, Suspense, Spirituality, Thriller, Travel, and Young-adult
Polls voted on by Stephanie
Lists liked by Stephanie




















