Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.
H. G. WellsRead
States organized for war will make war as surely as hens will lay eggs.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that nations prepared for conflict are bound to engage in it, just as hens naturally lay eggs.
H. G. Wells emphasizes the inevitability of conflict for states that prioritize military organization and readiness. Just as hens lay eggs without thought or choice, nations that focus on war will inevitably find themselves in conflict, thus highlighting a critical view on militarism and the cycle of violence that arises when societies are organized primarily for war.
Themes
WarConflictMilitaryPreparednessInevitability
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the consequences of militarism, one might reference this quote to underline the dangers of an aggressive foreign policy.
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