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War does horrible things to human beings, to societies. It brings out the best, but most often the worst, in our human nature.
Richard Engel
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Interpretation

What this quote means

War reveals both the good and bad aspects of human nature and society.

This quote emphasizes the dual nature of war, highlighting that while it can lead to acts of heroism and bravery, it predominantly exposes humanity's darker tendencies, such as violence and destruction. War fundamentally transforms societies and individuals, revealing their true character in extreme circumstances.

Themes

WarHuman NatureSocietyViolenceBestWorst

In practice

Example use cases

During discussions on the impacts of war, this quote can be used to illustrate the complexities of human behavior.

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