It is a socialist idea that making profits is a vice; I consider the real vice is making losses.
The Great War differed from all ancient wars in the immense power of the combatants and their fearful agencies of destruction, and from all modern wars in the utter ruthlessness with which it was fought.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the unprecedented scale and brutality of World War I compared to previous conflicts.
Winston Churchill's quote emphasizes the stark differences of the Great War in terms of the massive military capabilities and the destructive technologies employed, as well as the complete lack of mercy displayed during the fighting. It highlights how this particular conflict marked a new era of warfare, not just in technological advances but also in the philosophical approach to combat, where the consequences of conflict became far more devastating than in any previous wars.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a history class discussion about World War I to emphasize its uniqueness.
More from Winston Churchill
All quotes →The United States is like a gigantic boiler. Once the fire is lit under it, there's no limit to the power it can generate.
Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times.
I will not pretend that if I had to choose between communism and Nazism I would choose communism.
Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them.
True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information.
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