If fifty thousand men were to die for the good of the…
“If fifty thousand men were to die for the good of the State, I certainly would weep for them, but political necessity comes before everything else.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
State needs outweigh individual sacrifices; mass loss is acceptable if it serves political necessity.
In simple terms: Political goals justify personal loss.
Key Takeaway
Weigh collective needs against individual cost.
Themes
politics
war
utilitarianism
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military campaigns
- national policy
- revolutionary change
- public morale
Key Concepts
statecraft
ethical trade‑off
Questions to Reflect On
- Is sacrifice ever justified?
- What limits should politics have?
A Different Perspective
Human cost may be ignored in pursuit of power.