Eighteen Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
““He is right. We are not youth any longer. We don't want to take the world by storm. We are fleeing. We fly from ourselves. From our life. We were eighteen and had begun to love life and the world; and we had to shoot it to pieces. The first bomb, the first explosion, burst in our hearts. We are cut off from activity, from striving, from progress. We believe in such things no longer, we believe in war.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front, 1929
Disillusioned youth feel detached from purpose after trauma, seeing war as the only remaining belief.
In simple terms: War leaves young people feeling lost and aimless.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and heal the loss of purpose.
Themes
disillusionment
war
youth
purpose
trauma
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- post‑war reintegration
- mental health counseling
- veteran support groups
- peace activism
Key Concepts
existential crisis
psychological impact
social alienation
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies help young people rebuild purpose after conflict?
- What alternatives to war can fulfill the need for striving?
A Different Perspective
War does not truly restore meaning; it often deepens existential void.
