Destruction Quote by Anthony Burgess
““Destruction, best expressed in this age in which I write as terrorism, is truly there for its own sake, but the pretense of religion or secular patriotism converts the destructive into the speciously creative.””
About This Quote
Violence, exemplified by terrorism, is inherently destructive; however, it is often cloaked in religious or patriotic rhetoric that falsely portrays it as creative.
In simple terms: Terrorism is destructive, yet sometimes disguised as noble.
Key Takeaway
Question motives behind violent acts.
Themes
violence
politics
religion
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- media analysis
- policy making
- public discourse
- education on radicalization
Key Concepts
ethics
propaganda
terrorism
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies justify violence?
- What alternatives exist to channel dissent?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex motivations.
![“It [9/11 tragedy] was the spectacle, what al-Qaeda gets its main power from - why their terrorism truly earns the word "acts." They are very theatrical, always - the simultaneous violence, the grandiose, symbolic gestures (the number 911, "United" and "American" flights, the World Trade as target…” quote by Porochista Khakpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bf5/porochista-khakpour-20047_aftermath_it-9-11-tragedy-was-the-spectacle-what-a_2907617.jpg)
![“No visiting angel, or explorer from another planet, could have guessed that this bland orb [Earth] teemed with vermin, with world-mastering, self-torturing, incipiently angelic beasts.” quote by Olaf Stapledon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d65/olaf-stapledon-9950_angel_no-visiting-angel-or-explorer-from-anoth_12107.jpg)
