I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
Interpretation
A soldier's perspective on war reveals its harsh realities and the deep disdain for its senselessness.
This quote expresses the profound aversion a soldier develops towards war after experiencing its devastating effects firsthand. Dwight D. Eisenhower highlights that only those who have directly witnessed the brutality, futility, and absurdity of war have the authority to truly 'hate' it, underscoring the tragic consequences of conflict that are often overlooked by those not directly involved.
In practice
This quote can be used to emphasize the tragic consequences of conflict during a peace rally.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I deplore the need or the use of troops anywhere to get American citizens to obey the orders of constituted courts.
The continental troops have as much courage and real discipline as those that are opposed to them. They are more inured to privation, more patient than Europeans, who, on these two points, cannot be compared to them.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
My feelings of revulsion and foreboding about nuclear weapons had not changed an iota since 1945, and they have never left me. Since I was 14, the overriding objective of my life has been to prevent the occurrence of nuclear war.
I am probably an outsider because I challenge conventional narratives about who should have a seat at the table.
I was never afraid of failure after that because, I think, coming that close to death you get kissed. With the years, the actual experience of course fades, but the flavor of it doesn't. I just had a real sense of what choice do I have but to live fully?
Cancer is messy and scary. You throw everything at it, but don't forget to throw love at it. It turns out that might be the best weapon of all.
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