Skip to content

Black or white Quote by Blaise Cendrars

“...Is there a more monstrous thought, a more convincing spectacle, a more patent affirmation of the impotence and madness of the brain? War. All our philosophies, religions, arts, techniques and trades lead to nothing but this. The finest flowers of civilization. The purest constructions of…” quote by Blaise Cendrars
Download Open image
““...Is there a more monstrous thought, a more convincing spectacle, a more patent affirmation of the impotence and madness of the brain? War. All our philosophies, religions, arts, techniques and trades lead to nothing but this. The finest flowers of civilization. The purest constructions of thought. The most generous and altruistic passions of the heart. The most heroic gestures of man. War. Now and thousand years ago. Tomorrow and a hundred thousand years ago. No, it's not a ...more "...Is there a more monstrous thought, a more convincing spectacle, a more patent affirmation of the impotence and madness of the brain? War. All our philosophies, religions, arts, techniques and trades lead to nothing but this. The finest flowers of civilization. The purest constructions of thought. The most generous and altruistic passions of the heart. The most heroic gestures of man. War. Now and thousand years ago. Tomorrow and a hundred thousand years ago. No, it's not a question of your country, my German or French friend, or yours, whether you're black or white or Papuan or a Borneo monkey. It's a question of your life. If you want to live, kill. Kill so that you can be free, or eat, or shit. The shameful thing is to kill in masses, at a predetermined hour on a predetermined day, in honour of certain principles, under cover of a flag, with old men nodding approval, to kill in a disinterested or passive way. Stand alone against them all, young man, kill, kill, you are unique, you're the only man alive, kill until the others cut you short with the guillotine or the cord or the rope, with or without ceremony, in the name of the Community or King. What a laugh.””

Blaise Cendrars

About This Quote

Source Essay: Reflections on war and humanity, 1930s

War reveals the absurdity of human achievements, reducing culture to violence.

In simple terms: War makes all achievements meaningless.

Key Takeaway

Recognize war's destructive truth.

Themes

war human nature philosophy nihilism

Mood

dark reflective

Type

philosophical critical

When to use this quote

  • historical analysis
  • peace activism
  • ethical debate

Key Concepts

existential dread civilization critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can peace ever truly replace war?
  • What drives societies to repeat war?
A Different Perspective

Might overlook individual acts of heroism.

2.8 out of 5 (6 ratings)

More by Blaise Cendrars

Explore all 35 Blaise Cendrars quotes

More Black or white quotes

Browse all 246 Black or white quotes