"America does not go abroad in search of monsters to destroy"

In this quote, John Quincy Adams is expressing the belief that America should not actively seek out conflicts or enemies to take part in war with. He argues that it is not the role of America to serve as a worldwide police force, continuously searching for "monsters" to ruin. Instead, Adams believes that America must concentrate on its own internal affairs and only take part in war when needed for self-defense. This quote reflects the concept of non-interventionism, where a nation avoids participation in the affairs of other countries. Adams' words function as a suggestion for America to focus on peace and diplomacy over aggression and war.