--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This subject brings me to that vilest…" description: "\"This subject brings me to that vilest offspring of the herd mind -- the odious militia. The man who enjoys marching in line and file to the strains of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2d/albert-einstein-33_brain_this-subject-brings-me-to-that-vilest-of_1034471.jpg" --- # This subject brings me to that vilest offspring of the… ![“This subject brings me to that vilest offspring of the herd mind -- the odious militia. The man who enjoys marching in line and file to the strains of music falls below my contempt; he received his great brain by mistake -- the spinal cord would have been amply sufficient. This heroism at command…” quote by Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2d/albert-einstein-33_brain_this-subject-brings-me-to-that-vilest-of_1034471.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2d/albert-einstein-33_brain_this-subject-brings-me-to-that-vilest-of_1034471.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f2d/albert-einstein-33_brain_this-subject-brings-me-to-that-vilest-of_1034471.jpg) > “This subject brings me to that vilest offspring of the herd mind -- the odious militia. The man who enjoys marching in line and file to the strains of music falls below my contempt; he received his great brain by mistake -- the spinal cord would have been amply sufficient. This heroism at command, this senseless violence, this accursed bombast of patriotism -- how intensely I despise them! War is low and despicable, and I had rather be smitten to shreds than participate in such doings.” [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Einstein condemns blind patriotism and militarism, seeing them as mindless herd behavior that devalues individuality and reason. **In simple terms:** He despises war and forced conformity. Key Takeaway Reject blind nationalism; value independent thought. Themes war patriotism conformity individualism violence Mood angry disgusted critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political discourse - military service - public protest - education - media analysis Key Concepts militarism herd mentality philosophical critique Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to follow patriotic narratives? - How can societies balance unity and critical thinking? A Different Perspective His view may overlook the protective aspects of collective identity in crises. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Contempt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contempt/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Heroism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroism/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Militia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/militia/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Patriotism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotism/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Senseless violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/senseless-violence/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Yes, war is hell. It is awful. It involves human beings killing other human beings, sometimes innocent civilians. That is why we despise war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-o-brennan/yes-war-is-hell-it-is-awful-it-involves-human-beings-killing-other/) [John O. Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-o-brennan/) > [Do you know what a soldier is, young man? He's the chap who makes it possible for civilized folk to despise war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-massie/do-you-know-what-a-soldier-is-young-man-he-s-the-chap-who-makes-it/) [Allan Massie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-massie/) > [I find it difficult to believe that I belong to such an idiotic, rotten species - the species that actually boasts of its freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-find-it-difficult-to-believe-that-i-belong-to-such-an-idiotic/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of herd life, the military system, which I abhor... This plague-spot of civilization ought to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/this-topic-brings-me-to-that-worst-outcrop-of-herd-life-the-military-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/heroism-on-command-senseless-violence-and-all-the-loathsome-nonsense/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“This topic brings me to that worst outcrop of herd life, the military system, which I abhor. That a man can take pleasure in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/this-topic-brings-me-to-that-worst-outcrop-of-herd-life-the-military/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/he-who-joyfully-marches-to-music-rank-and-file-has-already-earned-my/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“If someone can enjoy marching to music in rank and file, I can feel only contempt for him; he has received his large brain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/if-someone-can-enjoy-marching-to-music-in-rank-and-file-i-can-feel/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“He who joyfully marches to music rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/he-who-joyfully-marches-to-music-rank-and-file-has-already-earned-my-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/he-who-joyfully-marches-to-music-in-rank-and-file-has-already-earned-2/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/he-who-joyfully-marches-to-music-in-rank-and-file-has-already-earned/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Maybe you’re not a believer, but if you’re honest, you’ll have to agree that something is wrong with this place. Senseless violence, corrupting envy,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/maybe-you-re-not-a-believer-but-if-you-re-honest-you-ll-have-to-agree/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [We cannot stop every act of senseless violence. We cannot know every evil that lurks in troubled minds. But if we can prevent even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/we-cannot-stop-every-act-of-senseless-violence-we-cannot-know-every/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Our tears are not enough. Our words and our prayers are not enough. If we really want to honor these twelve men and women,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/our-tears-are-not-enough-our-words-and-our-prayers-are-not-enough-if/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Senseless violence is, almost by definition, hard to understand. Not that I can understand terrorists who kill from hate, but at least we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-estrich/senseless-violence-is-almost-by-definition-hard-to-understand-not/) [Susan Estrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-estrich/) ## More by Albert Einstein > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The faster you go, the shorter you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-faster-you-go-the-shorter-you-are/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Common sense is nothing more than a deposit of prejudices laid down in the mind before you reach eighteen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/common-sense-is-nothing-more-than-a-deposit-of-prejudices-laid-down/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, of the manifestations of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty - it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/a-knowledge-of-the-existence-of-something-we-cannot-penetrate-of-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. 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There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The strongest force in the universe is Compound Interest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-strongest-force-in-the-universe-is-compound-interest/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Everything that is really great and inspiring is created by the individual who can labor in freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/everything-that-is-really-great-and-inspiring-is-created-by-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The world we have made is a result of the level of thinking we have done thus far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-made-is-a-result-of-the-level-of-thinking-we-have/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Anyone who thinks science is trying to make human life easier or more pleasant is utterly mistaken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/anyone-who-thinks-science-is-trying-to-make-human-life-easier-or-more/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Life isn't worth living, unless it is lived for someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/life-isn-t-worth-living-unless-it-is-lived-for-someone-else/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't true.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/just-because-you-don-t-believe-in-something-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-true/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [But there is another reason for the high repute of mathematics: it is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measure of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/but-there-is-another-reason-for-the-high-repute-of-mathematics-it-is/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Nothing will benefit human health and increase the chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nothing-will-benefit-human-health-and-increase-the-chances-for/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) [Explore all 2,339 Albert Einstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## More Brain quotes > [The brain abhors discrepancies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vilayanur-s-ramachandran/the-brain-abhors-discrepancies/) [Vilayanur S. 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