Concentration camp Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““A crude age. Peace is stabilized with cannon and bombers, humanity with concentration camps and pogroms. We're living in a time when all standards are turned upside-down, Kern. Today the aggressor is the shepherd of peace, and the beaten and hunted are the troublemakers of the world. What's more, there are whole races who believe it!””
About This Quote
Source Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front, 1929
The quote laments the inversion of moral standards in wartime, where aggressors claim peace.
In simple terms: War flips moral values, making aggressors appear peaceful.
Key Takeaway
Question narratives that justify violence.
Themes
war
morality
propaganda
Mood
somber
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy analysis
- peace activism
- historical study
Key Concepts
ethical inversion
political rhetoric
human rights
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines true peace?
- How can societies resist moral inversion?
A Different Perspective
The perspective may overlook non‑military contexts where peace is pursued differently.
