Perhaps if all the peoples of the world understand what war really means, we would eliminate it.
Walter CronkiteRead
I think the whole policy of pre-emptive war is a serious, serious mistake.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Pre-emptive war is a flawed approach that can lead to significant consequences.
Walter Cronkite's quote expresses a deep concern about the ethical and practical implications of pre-emptive war, suggesting that such a policy is based on fear and uncertainty rather than solid justification. The seriousness of this mistake lies in its potential to escalate conflict and undermine global stability, reflecting the broader philosophical debate about the morality of taking aggressive action before a threat has fully materialized.
Themes
Pre-Emptive WarEthicsConflictPolicyMistake
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate on international relations, one could cite this quote to emphasize the risks of aggressive policies.
More from Walter Cronkite
All quotes βThe death of Churchill at 90 was one of those watershed moments in which the obituary rises to a special calling beyond the sharing of remembered times. It gave an older generation a rare opportunity to explain something of itself to its children.
Walter CronkiteRead
I suppose popularity is measured by ratings. If a broadcaster is known as the leader because of ratings, then that's where people most want to be seen and heard, so there's no question that there's an advantage.
Walter CronkiteRead
Objective journalism and an opinion column are about as similar as the Bible and Playboy magazine.
Walter CronkiteRead
I feel no compulsion to be a pundit. As a matter of fact, I really don't have that much to say about most things. Working with hard news satisfies me completely.
Walter CronkiteRead
I think that our comfort is in our history.
Walter CronkiteRead
Similar quotes
If a jury have not the right to judge between the government and those who disobey its laws, and resist its oppressions, the government is absolute, and the people, legally speaking, are slaves.
Lysander SpoonerRead
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
James MadisonRead
It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways.
Gautama BuddhaRead
Pray without ceasing on behalf of other men...For cannot he that falls rise again?
Ignatius Of AntiochRead
You are dealing with people who have taken the responsibility of killing their own because they think that they are right, they think that they are serving the interests of their people. They not going to give that up easily, just because you've shown up.
Lakhdar BrahimiRead
To denounce does not free the self from what it hates, any more than ignoring the past shuts off its influence.
Jacques BarzunRead