15 Famous War Quotes That Will Make You Think

15 Famous War Quotes That Will Make You Think

Few topics have sparked as much thought, reflection, and introspection throughout human history as the idea of war. The name itself bears a heavy tradition of bravery and horror, brutality and heroism. That profound understandings and moving truths may be discovered in the words of those who have observed, endured, and, in some cases, engineered these catastrophic occurrences is a monument to the complexity of the human condition.

These sayings offer significant insights into the nature of battle, the cost of war, and the never-ending pursuit of peace. They range from the ancient wisdom of military strategists like Sun Tzu to the somber thoughts of statesmen and philosophers. Each quote captures the hopes, anxieties, and timeless lessons that war has taught humanity throughout history, providing a glimpse into the human condition during times of conflict. Here are the 15 Famous War Quotes That Will Make You Think:

1. “War does not determine who is right, only who is left.” – Bertrand Russell

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Bertrand Russell was a man of great honor during his time. He was a popular political activist who wanted the world to be ruled by one leader. Russell was always against any kind of war and advocated for peace which led him to write such a strong and educative quote.

His main aim was to show the harsh reality of armed conflicts. This brilliant quote means that the out one of war usually doesn’t establish the righteousness or justness of the involved parties.

Instead, it emphasizes that the ultimate winners and losers of conflict are determined by survival and endurance, regardless of moral superiority. It also serves as a warning that, rather than resolving or clarity, the aftermath of conflict can bring devastation and catastrophe.

2. “In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” – José Narosky

Jose Narosky, a renowned Argentine writer and author tried to air out the negative impacts of war in several ways. The context of the quote reflects the negative impacts that war has on the participants. War usually impacts people physically, emotionally, and mentally, and in various ways that their views on society change.

The quote from Narosky might also be taken symbolically. It implies that going through a battle fundamentally alters a person. Even if they are physically unhurt upon their return, the horrors and difficulties they have encountered have permanently changed them. The quotation highlights the notion that conflict has a significant and long-lasting effect on the human psyche.

3. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” – Sun Tzu

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Chinese military leader, strategist, philosopher, and author Sun Tzu lived from 771 to 256 BC during the Eastern Zhou era. The Art of War, a significant treatise on military strategy that has influenced both Western and East Asian philosophy and military thinking, is traditionally attributed to Sun Tzu. As a renowned historical and military figure, Sun Tzu is highly regarded in Chinese and East Asian cultures.

One of the greatest quotes by Sun Tzu is “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” He meant that when you make great preparations and plans for something, you will easily subdue your enemies without engaging them.

4. “War is what happens when language fails.” – Margaret Atwood

Canadian novelist Margaret Atwood is well-known for her speculative fiction novels, which frequently tackle challenging subjects connected to society, power, and human nature. She has also written several quotes including educative war quotes that have hidden meanings.

Her much-renown quote, “War is what happens when language fails” is a familiar quote that holds a deeper meaning. It means that a breakdown in human communication and understanding is what leads to conflict. It emphasizes the notion that disputes and violence frequently start when individuals or nations are unable to properly communicate, empathize, or compromise.

5. “I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.” – Albert Einstein

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Albert Einstein forewarned of the potential impacts of nuclear conflict on humanity and its advancement in this quote. Einstein was grieved by the devastation the bombs had inflicted on the cities, killing thousands of people and leveling them, after the Second World War was ended by dropping atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He wondered how a single weapon could wreak such havoc.

Einstein was concerned about the growth of nuclear arsenals and the ensuing arms race between the Americans and the Soviets. He therefore made an effort to warn people about how terrible nuclear war may be for humanity. Given that at the time it appeared that this would happen inevitably, Einstein warned that if nuclear war breaks out, humanity may very possibly lose all the advancements that have been accomplished throughout thousands of years and revert to our Stone Age hunter-gatherer ways.

6. “Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die.” – Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover served as the president of the United States of America from 1929 to 1933. However, this quote was not stated by Hoover when he was in office, but he stated it 11 years after his retirement. He made this quote during World War II in which the US was involved in deeply.

Hoover was expressing a viewpoint that was shared by many Americans: that the United States entered the First World War to defend the interests of bankers and arms dealers, and that young men were sent to battle to die for the causes of old men. Hoover applied the same concept to World War II in this quote.

7. “War is a racket.” – Smedley Butler

Official USMC photographUSMC Archives from Quantico, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Smedley D. Butler, a retired United States Marine Corps Major General and two-time Medal of Honour recipient, wrote a short book and a speech titled “War Is a Racket” in 1935. Butler argues how business interests profit commercially from war based on his professional military experience. During the American occupation of Haiti from 1915 to 1934, he had been named commanding officer of the Gendarmerie.

8. “The only way to win World War III is to prevent it.” – Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower served as the President of the United States for eight years. During his era, the then-president used to express his feelings towards war by giving his mind through quotes. One of his quotes is “The only way to win World War III is to prevent it.”

This quote was stated at the Convention Hall, Philadelphia on November 1st, 1956. He was seeking to make peace with the countries that were engaged in wars to prevent the occurrence of another war. Dwight knew that if there could be another war, the US wouldn’t hesitate to use their atomic bomb which could’ve brought World War III.

9. “War is hell.” – William Tecumseh Sherman

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This quotation came from the speech of William Tecumseh Sherman to the Michigan Military Academy graduating class on June 19, 1879. William tried to express how he had experienced several wars through the ranks he rose through in his career. He was trying to imply that there are no benefits of war as the negatives outweigh the positives which can destroy lives.

10. “In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.” – Sun Tzu

This quote is one of the greatest ones from Sun Tzu. It is derived from his book of the Art of War quotes that were and are still educative to society. This specific quote tries to give motivation to society that if you want to become a success, don’t direct all your strength to what will be hard to tackle. You have to target an easier point where you can strike and become a success without putting in extra effort.

11. “War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children.” – Jimmy Carter

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The quote by Jimmy Carter highlights the tragic and contradictory nature of war. He acknowledges that there are instances when going to war may be thought necessary to deal with a specific threat or accomplish specific goals. Jimmy insists, however, that even when it is deemed essential, it is still a regrettable and damaging course of action, referred to as “evil.”

The main point of Carter’s quote is that, even though nations may wage war for legitimate reasons, it always results in the loss of lives, frequently those of innocent bystanders and young soldiers who are someone’s kid. By drawing attention to this reality, Carter implores people to consider the human cost of war and to give preference to peaceful methods of conflict resolution.

12. “War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.” – John Stuart Mill

This quote from John Stuart Mill expresses a more complex viewpoint on war and its ties to morality and patriotism. He admits that war is a dreadful and destructive event and calls it “an ugly thing.” He contends that something, perhaps, is even more abhorrent than war.

According to Mill, a “decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings” is worse than conflict. He meant that a society or person who has lost their sense of morality or patriotism to the point where they are hesitant to stand up for what they believe in, even in the face of a grave threat or injustice, is in a worse situation than those who wage war.

13. “War is too important to be left to the generals.” – Georges Clemenceau

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Georges Clemenceau’s adage, “War is too important to be left to the generals,” clearly showed his view that civilian leadership and control play a crucial role during times of conflict and war. During World War I, Clemenceau served as France’s prime minister and was instrumental in the conflict’s management.

The quote implies that it is not only up to military leaders or generals to decide when to seek peace, how to go to war, and how to go to war. Instead, it suggests that civilian leaders like legislators and statesmen ought to have a significant part in deciding on war strategy and doctrine.

14. “The battle of Iwo Jima has been won. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” – Chester W. Nimitz

The sacrifices and valiant efforts of the soldiers who fought under extraordinarily trying circumstances and fierce enemy opposition are honored in Nimitz’s quote. He emphasizes the notion that regular people can rise to the occasion and display great bravery during times of war. This quote honors the collective bravery and dedication to the objective of the American servicemen who fought on Iwo Jima and pays tribute to their unflinching spirit and unwavering dedication.

15. “War is cruelty, and you cannot refine it.” – William Tecumseh Sherman

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Sherman is stating a brutal truth about war in this quote. He stated that war results in acts of violence, destruction, and suffering. He also claims that there is no way to make war gentler or more humanitarian. No matter what measures are taken to lessen war’s effects or argue for its need, war’s brutality and cruelty remain at its very core.

War has never been something that people wish for. The above quotes give different options about war, the consequences, and the dire need for diplomacy and peace. All these quotes have inspired many leaders who take great notes to ensure peace reigns.