I believe that the entire effort of modern society should be concentrated on the endeavor to outlaw war as a method of the solution of problems between nations.
Douglas MacarthurRead
There are some who, for varying reasons, would appease Red China. They are blind to history's clear lesson, for history teaches with unmistakable emphasis that appeasement but begets new and bloodier war. It points to no single instance where this end has justified that means, where appeasement has led to more than a sham peace. Like blackmail, it lays the basis for new and successively greater demands until, as in blackmail, violence becomes the only other alternative.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote warns against appeasing aggressors, suggesting that such actions only lead to greater conflict.
Douglas MacArthur emphasizes the dangers of appeasement as a political strategy, arguing that history demonstrates this approach leads to more severe conflicts rather than peace. He compares appeasement to blackmail, highlighting that it encourages aggressors to make increasingly demanding and violent demands, indicating that ultimately, the only resolution may lead to confrontation rather than compromise.
Themes
AppeasementConflictWarPoliticsViolence
In practice
Example use cases
During a political debate, emphasizing the dangers of appeasement can illustrate a candidate’s stance on foreign affairs.
More from Douglas Macarthur
All quotes →In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.
Douglas MacarthurRead
Worry, doubt, fear and despair are the enemies which slowly bring us down to the ground and turn us to dust before we die.
Douglas MacarthurRead
We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction.
Douglas MacarthurRead
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
Douglas MacarthurRead
No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.
Douglas MacarthurRead
Similar quotes
I am transcribing a book that I have, in a sense, not yet written, and in another sense, have always written, and in another sense, am currently writing, and in another sense, am always writing, and in another sense, will never write.
Charles YuRead
The center of every man's existence is a dream.
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead
One receives as reward for much ennui, despondency, boredom -such as a solitude without friends, books, duties, passions must bring with it -those quarter-hours of profoundest contemplation within oneself and nature. He who completely entrenches himself against boredom also entrenches himself against himself: he will never get to drink the strongest refreshing draught from his own innermost fountain.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
The vicarious responsibility for things we have not done, this taking upon ourselves the consequences for things we are entirely innocent of, is the price we pay for the fact that we live our lives not by ourselves but among our fellow men, and that the faculty of action, which, after all, is the political faculty par excellence, can be actualized only as one of the many and manifold forces of human community.
HannahRead
Everything which is properly business we must keep carefully separate from life. Business requires earnestness and method; life must have a freed handling.
Johann Wolfgang Von GoetheRead
And this lesson about mortal peace of mind I never forgot. Even if a ghost is ripping a house to pieces, throwing in pans all over, pouring water of pillows, making clocks chime at all hours, mortal will accept almost any "natural explanation" offered, no matter how absurd, rather than the obvious supernatural one, for what is going on.
Anne RiceRead