As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal…
“As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exalted characters”; “[the barbarians’] poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism”; “the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Societies glorify war and punish peace, leading to endless cycles of conflict and oppression.
In simple terms: People praise war more than peace, causing ongoing conflict.
Question peace over war.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- national policy
- education
- media narratives
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does society reward war?
- What can shift values toward peace?
Peace can be ignored when militarism is glorified.