Table of Contents
“War is not the answer.” We’ve seen this message stuck to the bumper of many a Volkswagen Westfalia. But what this little aphorism begs is a question: what was the question?
War, by its very nature, brings devastation, suffering, and loss. It tears apart families, shatters communities, and leaves scars that linger for generations. The impact of war is undeniably negative, leaving behind a trail of destruction and human tragedy. It is a reflection of humanity’s darkest impulses and the failure to resolve conflicts through peaceful means.
Yet, as we explore the complex tapestry of war, we find ourselves confronted with a paradox. There are moments when war becomes a haunting necessity, a grim answer to a question no one wishes to ask. In the face of invasion, oppression, and imminent threat, the alternative to waging war is often a grim choice between subjugation, enslavement, or annihilation.
History provides us with vivid examples where nations and individuals have been thrust into the crucible of war, compelled to defend their very existence. Consider ancient Greece, under the shadow of the Achaemenid Empire’s invasion. For the Greeks, war became an indispensable response, a desperate fight for freedom and autonomy. To submit was to accept a fate worse than death—enslavement and the loss of their cherished way of life.
Similarly, imagine the Japanese people during the invasion of the Yuan dynasty. Faced with a merciless aggressor, their survival hinged on resisting with every fiber of their being. In such dire circumstances, diplomacy alone could not appease the forces that sought their destruction. War, as horrifying as it may be, became the only viable solution to protect their land, culture, and future.
It is important to emphasize that advocating for war as a means to sell weapons or pursue selfish gains is abhorrent. We do not seek to glorify conflict, redraw borders, or exploit the suffering of others. Instead, we acknowledge the painful reality that there are moments when individuals and nations find themselves on the precipice, with the stark choice of defending their very existence or succumbing to obliteration.
When faced with adversaries who have already made the decision to unleash violence upon you, the prospect of diplomacy and peaceful resolutions can seem like distant mirages. In these circumstances, the imperative for self-defense and preservation takes hold. The harrowing truth is that sometimes, to protect lives and secure a future, the only viable path is to confront and neutralize the threat before it engulfs you.
Nevertheless, as we explore the nuances of war, we must remain vigilant in our pursuit of peace. It is our duty as rational beings to exhaust every possible avenue for resolution before resorting to the horrors of armed conflict. Diplomacy, negotiation, and dialogue should always be the primary tools in our arsenal, striving to prevent conflicts before they arise and finding pathways to reconciliation.
As we delve into this curated collection of war quotes, we invite you to contemplate the multifaceted nature of human conflict. It is a journey that explores the depths of our capacity for destruction and yet reaffirms our unwavering commitment to peace. These quotes serve as poignant reminders of the cost of war, the complexities of its existence, and the resolute determination of individuals to endure and overcome its devastating consequences.
Through these profound insights, we seek to foster a deeper understanding of the consequences of war, the importance of peaceful resolutions, and the imperative to strive for a world where the question that war answers remains a question we never have to ask.
Quotes About War and the Detrimental Effects of Long-term Warfare
George Orwell
“War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.”
George Orwell succinctly captures the essence of war as a destructive force that diverts resources and potential advancements from benefiting society’s well-being. In his quote, he portrays war as a mechanism that disperses or destroys materials that could otherwise contribute to the comfort and intellectual development of the masses.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower emphasizes the vital role of an informed and vigilant citizenry in ensuring the harmonious integration of extensive industrial and military defense machinery with the nation’s peaceful objectives. In this quote, he underscores that only through the active participation and understanding of the populace can security and liberty thrive in tandem.
Smedley Butler
“War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.”
In this succinct statement, Smedley Butler exposes the true nature of war as a profit-driven enterprise. He asserts that war, unlike any other endeavor, spans across borders and is fueled by financial gains, measured in dollars, at the expense of human lives, making it a global racket of immense proportions.
A.J.P. Taylor
“The great armies, accumulated to provide security and preserve the peace, carried the nations to war by their own weight.”
A.J.P. Taylor highlights the paradoxical nature of large military forces intended to safeguard peace, ultimately leading nations into conflicts due to their sheer size and momentum. In this quote, he suggests that the very armies established for security inadvertently become catalysts for war, underscoring the complexities and unintended consequences of militarization.
Niccoló Machiavelli
“Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.”
Niccolò Machiavelli succinctly captures the unpredictable and prolonged nature of wars in this quote. He suggests that while wars may be initiated at the will of individuals or nations, their conclusion often defies easy control or manipulation, emphasizing the enduring and unpredictable consequences of conflict.
Robert Lynd
“The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”
Robert Lynd astutely observes the persistent and perilous misconception throughout human history that wars can be swift and conclusive. In this quote, he warns against this illusion, highlighting its ancient roots and the inherent danger it poses, suggesting that such beliefs often lead to underestimation of the complexities and consequences of armed conflict.
William Tecumseh Sherman
“It is only those who have neither fired a shot nor heard the shrieks and groans of the wounded who cry aloud for blood… War is hell.”
William Tecumseh Sherman poignantly captures the grim reality of war in this quote. He asserts that those who have not experienced the horrors of battle are often the most fervent advocates for violence. By declaring “War is hell,” Sherman starkly illustrates the brutal and devastating nature of armed conflict, emphasizing the profound suffering it inflicts on both combatants and civilians alike.
James Madison
“No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”
James Madison succinctly emphasizes the inherent threat that perpetual warfare poses to a nation’s freedom. In this quote, he suggests that a state of constant conflict undermines the foundations of liberty, implying that enduring peace is essential for the preservation of freedom and democratic values.
Robert M. La Follette
“Before the war is ended, the war party assumes the divine right to denounce and silence all opposition to war as unpatriotic and cowardly.”
– Senator Robert M. La Follette
Senator Robert M. La Follette astutely highlights the dangerous tendency of the pro-war faction to suppress dissenting voices by branding them as unpatriotic or cowardly. In this quote, he suggests that as conflicts escalate, those advocating for war assert an unfounded authority to silence any opposition, thereby stifling critical discourse and undermining democratic principles.
Robert M. La Follette
“In times of peace, the war party insists on making preparation for war. As soon as prepared for, it insists on making war.”
– Senator Robert M. LaFollette
Senator Robert M. LaFollette succinctly illustrates the perpetual cycle of militarization and conflict in this quote. He observes that during periods of peace, proponents of war advocate for military readiness, and once prepared, they often push for war itself. This observation underscores the vested interests and ideologies driving the military-industrial complex, which prioritizes preparedness and conflict over diplomacy and peacebuilding.
Abraham Lincoln
“Military glory – that attractive rainbow, that rises in showers of blood – that serpent’s eye, that charms to destroy…”
Abraham Lincoln eloquently portrays the deceptive allure of military glory in this quote. He compares it to a captivating but illusory rainbow, born from the shedding of blood. Lincoln warns that this seductive fascination with warfare, often portrayed as glorious and heroic, ultimately leads to destruction and suffering, likening it to a beguiling serpent’s eye that entices with charm but brings ruin.
Herbert Hoover
“Old men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.”
Herbert Hoover succinctly captures the stark reality of war in this quote. He highlights the profound disconnect between those who declare wars, typically older individuals in positions of power, and the youth who are disproportionately tasked with fighting and sacrificing their lives on the battlefield. This observation underscores the immense burden borne by the younger generation in times of conflict, emphasizing the unequal distribution of the consequences of war.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn
“A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.”
Alexander Solzhenitsyn encapsulates the insidious nature of war in this quote. He suggests that under the guise of external conflict, governments often exploit the situation to tighten their grip on domestic affairs, suppressing dissent and imposing tyranny upon their own citizens. Solzhenitsyn highlights how the pretext of war can be manipulated to erode freedoms and justify oppressive measures within a society.
Ronald Reagan
“People do not make wars; governments do.”
Ronald Reagan succinctly expresses the distinction between the actions of governments and the will of the people in initiating wars. In this quote, he implies that conflicts are typically instigated and pursued by governmental authorities rather than ordinary citizens. By emphasizing this point, Reagan underscores the responsibility of leadership in shaping foreign policy and the potential disparity between the interests of governing bodies and those of the general populace.