I began to think of war, even so-called "good wars" like…
“I began to think of war, even so-called "good wars" like World War II, as corrupting everybody. Violence begetting violence. The good guys beginning to act like the bad guys. And when I studied the history of wars, it seemed to me that that was the case. Athens vs. Sparta in the Peloponnesian War. The Athenians presumably the democratic state. The Spartans the totalitarian state. But as the war went on, the Athenians began to act like the Spartans. They began committing atrocities and cruelties. So I saw this as a characteristic of war, even so-called "good wars."”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
War, even those deemed just, tends to corrupt participants, turning good actors into perpetrators of similar atrocities.
In simple terms: War can make good people act badly.
Key Takeaway
Be wary of war’s corrupting influence.
Themes
war
ethics
history
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- military service
- political activism
- historical analysis
- peace advocacy
Key Concepts
moral decay
cycle of violence
political power
Questions to Reflect On
- Can war ever be truly just?
- How can societies prevent moral decline in conflict?
A Different Perspective
Some wars may have defensive necessity; context matters.