Let us face squarely the paradox that the world which goes…
“Let us face squarely the paradox that the world which goes to war is a world, usually genuinely desiring peace. War is the outcome, not mainly of evil intentions, but on the whole of good intentions which miscarry or are frustrated. It is made not usually by evil men knowing themselves to be wrong, but is the outcome of policies pursued by good men usually passionately convinced that they are right.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
War arises from well‑intentioned policies that fail, not solely from evil motives.
In simple terms: Good intentions can lead to war.
Key Takeaway
Examine policies for unintended harm.
Themes
war
politics
human nature
policy
peace
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- government decisions
- international negotiations
- military interventions
- peacebuilding
Key Concepts
realism
unintended consequences
collective responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can policymakers anticipate negative outcomes?
- What safeguards prevent good intentions from causing harm?
A Different Perspective
Good intentions may be misguided, leading to conflict.