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War contains so much folly, as well as wickedness, that much is to be hoped from the progress of reason.
James Madison
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that despite the inherent foolishness and evil of war, there is hope in the advancement of rational thought and understanding.

James Madison's quote highlights the dual nature of war, which is characterized not only by its inherent wickedness but also by the folly that accompanies it. He expresses a belief that as human reason progresses, it can lead to a reduction in the occurrence of war and its associated evils, suggesting that intellect and rational discourse hold the potential to bring about peace and understanding in a world often marred by conflict.

Themes

WarReasonPeaceProgressWisdom

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about conflict resolution, one might quote this to emphasize the need for rational dialogue.

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Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
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The magnitude of this evil among us is so deeply felt, and so universally acknowledged, that no merit could be greater than that of devising a satisfactory remedy for it.
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