Allowing Quote by Doris Lessing
“In times of war, as everyone knows, who has lived through one, or talked to soldiers when they are allowing themselves to remember the truth, and not the sentimentalities with which we all shield ourselves from the horrors of which we are capable ... in times of war we revert, as a species, to the past, and are permitted to be brutal and cruel. It is for this reason, and of course others, that a great many people enjoy war. But this is one of the facts about war that is not often talked about.”
About This Quote
War reveals humanity’s capacity for cruelty, which some people find appealing, despite its horrors.
In simple terms: War shows both brutality and a strange attraction to it.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the dark allure of conflict.
Themes
war
human nature
psychology
Mood
critical
somber
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- historical analysis
- military service
- media coverage
- public discourse
Key Concepts
sociology
trauma
morality
Questions to Reflect On
- Why are people drawn to war narratives?
- How does society mask war’s brutality?
A Different Perspective
Not all experience war the same; attraction may be cultural.
