War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
Smedley ButlerRead
Out of war nations acquire additional territory, if they are victorious. They just take it. This newly acquired territory promptly is exploited by the few - the selfsame few who wrung dollars out of blood in the war. The general public shoulders the bill.
Interpretation
What this quote means
War benefits the few at the expense of the many, who suffer the consequences.
Smedley Butler's quote reflects on the grim reality of war, where victorious nations often seize new territories, enriching a small elite who profit from the conflict. It highlights the disparity between the few who gain wealth and power from war and the general public, who bear the costs and consequences of such violence.
Themes
WarTerritoryPublicEliteConsequencesProfit
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the impacts of war on society during a public debate.
More from Smedley Butler
All quotes →The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.
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I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long... Looking back on it, I feel I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three city districts. We Marines operated on three continents.
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A few profit - and the many pay. But there is a way to stop it. You can't end it by disarmament conferences. You can't eliminate it by peace parleys at Geneva. Well-meaning but impractical groups can't wipe it out by resolutions. It can be smashed effectively only by taking the profit out of war.
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It is dressed into speeches about patriotism, love of country...but the profits...skyrocket.
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We must take the profit out of war.
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