Army Quote by Elbert Hubbard
“War is the sure result of the existence of armed men. That country which maintains a large standing army will sooner or later have a war. The man who prides himself on fisticuffs is going, some day, to meet a man who considers himself the better man, and they will test the issue.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Art of Being a Man", early 20th century collection
Argues that large standing armies increase the likelihood of war, and that aggression leads to conflict with stronger opponents.
In simple terms: Big armies invite war; aggression meets stronger resistance.
Key Takeaway
Consider the costs of militarization.
Themes
war
military
power
peace
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- foreign policy
- defense budgeting
- international relations
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
political science
deterrence
conflict theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a strong defense always necessary?
- What alternatives exist to prevent war?
A Different Perspective
Peaceful negotiation can be overlooked in favor of force.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
