--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know that war and mayhem run in our…" description: "\"I know that war and mayhem run in our blood. I refuse to believe that they must dominate our lives. We humans are animals, too, but animals with amazin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/donella-meadows-9060_amazing_i-know-that-war-and-mayhem-run-in-our-bl_2237409.png" --- # I know that war and mayhem run in our blood. I refuse to… ![“I know that war and mayhem run in our blood. I refuse to believe that they must dominate our lives. We humans are animals, too, but animals with amazing powers of rationality, morality, society. We can use our strength and courage not to savage each other, but to defend our highest purposes.” quote by Donella Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/donella-meadows-9060_amazing_i-know-that-war-and-mayhem-run-in-our-bl_2237409.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/donella-meadows-9060_amazing_i-know-that-war-and-mayhem-run-in-our-bl_2237409.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/16e/donella-meadows-9060_amazing_i-know-that-war-and-mayhem-run-in-our-bl_2237409.png) > “I know that war and mayhem run in our blood. I refuse to believe that they must dominate our lives. We humans are animals, too, but animals with amazing powers of rationality, morality, society. We can use our strength and courage not to savage each other, but to defend our highest purposes.” [Donella Meadows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donella-meadows/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human rationality and morality can guide us away from violence toward higher purpose. **In simple terms:** We can choose reason over war. Key Takeaway Use reason to serve higher goals. Themes ethics human nature peace Mood thoughtful optimistic Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - policy making - education - conflict resolution - community building Key Concepts Systems thinking collective action Questions to Reflect On - How can societies foster rational compassion? - What structures support peaceful purpose? A Different Perspective Changing deep-seated habits is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amazing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amazing/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Mayhem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mayhem/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [Powers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/powers/) [Rationality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rationality/) [Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savage/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Strength And Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-and-courage/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Technology is almost everywhere and has come to dominate our lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randi-zuckerberg/technology-is-almost-everywhere-and-has-come-to-dominate-our-lives/) [Randi Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randi-zuckerberg/) > [Guilt is what separates humans from animals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/guilt-is-what-separates-humans-from-animals/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Humans call animals 'dumb'... after they robbed their entire own precious world. 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