The appalling destruction and misery of this war mount…
““The appalling destruction and misery of this war mount hourly: destruction of what should be (indeed it is) the common wealth of Europe, and the world, if mankind were not so besotted, wealth the loss of which will affect us all, victors or not. Yet people gloat to hear of the endless lines, 40 miles long, of miserable refugees, women and children pouring West, dying on the way. There seems no bowels of mercy or compassion, no imagination, left in this dark diabolic hour. By which I do not mean that it may not all, in the present situation, mainly (not solely) created by Germany, be necessary or inevitable. But why gloat! We were supposed to have reached a stage of civilization in which it might still be necessary to execute a criminal, but not to gloat, or to hang his wife and child by him while the orc-crowd hooted. The destruction of Germany, be it 100 times merited, is one of the most appalling world-catastrophes.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker condemns the brutal suffering of war, the mass displacement of civilians, and the lack of compassion, while acknowledging that some destruction may be inevitable but should not be celebrated.
In simple terms: War brings massive human misery and a loss of shared humanity, which should not be glorified.
Key Takeaway
Recognize suffering, reject gloating over destruction.
Themes
war
humanity
compassion
ethics
civilian suffering
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
political
ethical
historical
When to use this quote
- refugee crises
- military strategy
- public morale
- humanitarian aid
Key Concepts
total war
moral responsibility
dehumanization
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance acknowledging necessary military action with maintaining empathy?
- What responsibilities do societies have toward displaced civilians?
A Different Perspective
The quote may overgeneralize enemy culpability and ignore complex political contexts.