Quotes on War

Most wars, after all, present themselves as humanitarian endeavors to help people.

There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.

Weapons are an important factor in war, but not the decisive one; it is man and not materials that counts.

This is an important book, the critic assumes, because it deals with war. This is an insignificant book because it deals with the feelings of women in a drawing-room.

The connection between dress and war is not far to seek; your finest clothes are those you wear as soldiers.

One thing that was amazing about World War II was that everybody signed up for the duration plus six months. Fliers got to leave combat after 25 missions, or 35 missions, but other than that, you were in it. You were part of the great effort, until, oh boy, six months after it was over.

In order to rally people, governments need enemies... if they do not have a real enemy, they will invent one in order to mobilize us.

Every war results from the struggle for markets and spheres of influence, and every war is sold to the public by professional liars and totally sincere religious maniacs, as a Holy Crusade to save God and Goodness from Satan and Evil.

A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it.

The real war will never get in the books.

There are only two forces that unite men - fear and interest.

Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.

Power is my mistress. I have worked too hard at her conquest to allow anyone to take her away from me.

A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.

Doctors will have more lives to answer for in the next world than even we generals.

The best way to keep one's word is not to give it.

Ability is nothing without opportunity.

A time will come when a politician who has willfully made war and promoted international dissension will be as sure of the dock and much surer of the noose than a private homicide. It is not reasonable that those who gamble with men's lives should not stake their own.

The only thing I am afraid of is fear.

A self-respecting nation is ready for anything, including war, except for a renunciation of its option to make war.

Isn't life a series of images that change as they repeat themselves?