Army Quote by Alfred Nobel
“On the day when two army corps may mutually annihilate each other in a second, probably all civilized nations will recoil with horror and disband their troops.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Nobel's 1905 address on war, Stockholm, 1905
The quote warns that a rapid, massive conflict between large armies would horrify civilized societies, leading them to disband their militaries.
In simple terms: A huge war would shock humanity and cause armies to be dissolved.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the horror of large‑scale war.
Themes
war
humanity
peace
civilization
Mood
alarm
concern
reflective
Type
cautionary
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- peace treaties
- military disarmament
- international diplomacy
Key Concepts
mutual destruction
deterrence
military ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms can prevent such catastrophic conflicts?
- How can societies cultivate a collective aversion to war?
A Different Perspective
It assumes all nations share the same moral reaction, which may not hold true.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
