Certain Quote by Anonymous
“There is one fairly good reason for fighting - and that is, if the other man starts it. You see, wars are a great wickedness, perhaps the greatest wickedness of a wicked species. They are so wicked that they must not be allowed. When you can be perfectly certain that the other man started them, then is the time when you might have a sort of duty to stop them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Anonymous philosophical reflection on war, 20th century
War is profoundly immoral; if you can be sure the opponent initiated it, you may feel a moral duty to intervene.
In simple terms: War is evil; stop it if the other side started it.
Key Takeaway
Consider ethical responsibilities before engaging in conflict.
Themes
morality
war
duty
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- political debate
- military strategy
- peace activism
- personal ethics
Key Concepts
ethical justification
self‑defense
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria would you use to judge responsibility?
- Is intervention always justified?
A Different Perspective
Assuming certainty about who started a war is often impossible.
