"If you wish to avoid foreign collision, you had better abandon the ocean"

In this quote, Henry Clay is recommending that in order to avoid dispute with other countries, it would be wise to stay away from the ocean. This could be translated as a caution versus engaging in international trade or navigation, as these activities might potentially cause clashes with other countries. Clay may be implying that by limiting interactions with foreign powers, a nation can protect itself from prospective conflicts and keep its self-reliance. This quote likewise highlights the idea of isolationism, where a nation selects to concentrate on its own affairs and prevent involvement in global affairs. Overall, Clay's words serve as a cautionary pointer of the prospective consequences of engaging with other nations.