Able Quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Possibly my hatred of war blinds me so that I cannot comprehend the arguments they adduce. But, in my opinion, there is no such thing as a preventive war. Although this suggestion is repeatedly made, none has yet explained how war prevents war. Worse than this, no one has been able to explain away the fact that war creates the conditions that beget war.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public Address, 1953
Preventive war is a paradox; war creates conditions that lead to more war.
In simple terms: War cannot prevent war; it fuels more conflict.
Key Takeaway
Question the logic of preemptive military actions.
Themes
peace
war
logic
policy
ethics
Mood
skeptical
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- foreign policy debates
- military planning
- peace negotiations
Key Concepts
causality
strategic doctrine
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- Is any war truly preventive?
- What alternatives exist to avoid conflict?
A Different Perspective
Preemptive war may be justified in rare cases.
