Believe Quote by Erich Maria Remarque
“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 the war." - All Quiet On The Western Front, Ch. 5”
About This Quote
Source Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, 1929
War shatters youthful optimism, replacing hope with despair and a belief in conflict.
In simple terms: War destroys hope and replaces it with belief in conflict.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how trauma reshapes values.
Themes
war
disillusionment
youth
trauma
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- soldiers on front lines
- post‑war veterans
- students learning history
- peace activists
Key Concepts
existential crisis
psychological impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How does trauma alter one's worldview?
- Can hope be rebuilt after war?
A Different Perspective
Even amid devastation, some still seek meaning beyond conflict.
