Accounts Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
“How senseless is everything that can ever be written, done, or thought, when such things are possible. It must be all lies and of no account when the culture of a thousand years could not prevent this stream of blood being poured out, these torture-chambers in their hundreds of thousands. A hospital alone shows what war is.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front, 1929
War's absurdity renders all human endeavors meaningless, exposing the futility of cultural progress.
In simple terms: War makes everything seem pointless.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the destructive absurdity of war.
Themes
war
absurdity
humanity
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military conflict
- political discourse
- education curricula
- peace activism
Key Concepts
existential nihilism
moral decay
historical trauma
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this view say about the value of culture?
- How can societies prevent such atrocities?
A Different Perspective
War's complexity cannot be reduced to simple moral judgments.
