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
God is not external to anyone, but is present with all things, though they are ignorant that He is so.
PlotinusRead
I'm convinced that I'm a child of God. That's wonderful, exhilarating, liberating, full of promise. But the burden which goes along with that is, I'm convinced that everybody is a child of God. . . . I weep a lot. I thank God I laugh a lot, too. The main thing in one's own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry.
Maya AngelouRead
No mother would ever willingly sacrifice her sons for territorial gain, for economic advantage, for ideology.
Ronald ReaganRead
As Freud has shown, blunders are not the merest chance. They are the result of suppressed desires and conflicts. They are ripples on the surface of life, produced by unsuspected springs. And these may be very deep - as deep as the soul itself. The blunder may amount to the opening of a destiny.
Joseph CampbellRead
Many an individual has turned from the mean, personal, acquisitive point of view to one that sees society as a whole and works for its benefit. If there has been such a change in one person, there can be the same change in many.
Mahatma GandhiRead
I don't know why people are so reluctant to say they're feminists. Could it be any more obvious that we still live in a patriarchal world when feminism is a bad word?
Ellen PageRead