--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You cannot organize civilization around…" description: "\"You cannot organize civilization around the core of militarism and at the same time expect reason to control human destinies.\" — Franklin D. Roosevelt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg" --- # You cannot organize civilization around the core of… ![“You cannot organize civilization around the core of militarism and at the same time expect reason to control human destinies.” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg) > “You cannot organize civilization around the core of militarism and at the same time expect reason to control human destinies.” [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societies cannot rely on militarism while expecting rational governance; peace and reason must guide destiny. **In simple terms:** Militarism blocks rational progress. Key Takeaway Prioritize peace over military dominance. Themes peace reason governance militarism Mood concerned determined Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - international diplomacy - education reform - civil discourse Key Concepts political theory ethics human rights Questions to Reflect On - Can peace be maintained without strong defense? - What balances reason and security? A Different Perspective Security concerns often push militaristic policies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Civilization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) [Destiny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/destiny/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Militarism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/militarism/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [I was always interested in the larger picture, I was pre-law in college, and had a degree in economics. I was very interested in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-roach/i-was-always-interested-in-the-larger-picture-i-was-pre-law-in/) [Jay Roach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-roach/) > [The chief problem is, of course, whether the marching of the general spirit of things is heading consciously or sub- consciously toward an idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-chief-problem-is-of-course-whether-the-marching-of-the-general/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [ \[D\]rilling and arming, when carried on on a national scale, excite whole populations to frenzies which end in war. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/d-rilling-and-arming-when-carried-on-on-a-national-scale-excite-whole/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The core of our defense is the faith we have in the institutions we defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-core-of-our-defense-is-the-faith-we-have-in-the-institutions-we/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I think about the trends at the moment in the planet and how it looks for my grandchildren. I don't panic over it, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thurman/i-think-about-the-trends-at-the-moment-in-the-planet-and-how-it-looks/) [Robert Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-thurman/) > [The system of patriarchy is a historic construct; it has a beginning; it will have an end. Its time seems to have nearly run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerda-lerner/the-system-of-patriarchy-is-a-historic-construct-it-has-a-beginning/) [Gerda Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerda-lerner/) > [He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/he-who-joyfully-marches-to-music-in-rank-and-file-has-already-earned/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [We got a wonderful present from Stalin and Hitler that they never meant to give us. We were immune for 60 years or so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-oz/we-got-a-wonderful-present-from-stalin-and-hitler-that-they-never/) [Amos Oz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-oz/) > [We have a very large military community - veterans and others - who basically do believe in the militarism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-malveaux/we-have-a-very-large-military-community-veterans-and-others-who/) [Julianne Malveaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-malveaux/) > [...The greatest bulwark of capitalism is militarism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-goldman/the-greatest-bulwark-of-capitalism-is-militarism/) [Emma Goldman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-goldman/) > [“We have no managed to acquire bases all over the world—islands distant as the Australian Archipelago which President Roosevelt seized in 1938 without so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-t-flynn/we-have-no-managed-to-acquire-bases-all-over-the-world-islands/) [John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-t-flynn/) > [Where else could one find such a perfect combination of American values -- racism, militarism, capitalism -- all packaged in one 'ideal' symbol, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-morgan/where-else-could-one-find-such-a-perfect-combination-of-american/) [Robin Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-morgan/) > [The experience of a lot of us women is that too much money is being spent on militarism and war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/the-experience-of-a-lot-of-us-women-is-that-too-much-money-is-being/) [Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/) > [Nationalism, on my opinion, is nothing more than an idealistic rationalization for militarism and aggression.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/nationalism-on-my-opinion-is-nothing-more-than-an-idealistic/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [“Nationalism and jingoism—essential corollaries of militarism—are also systemic imperatives because they divide the global working classes, and bind them to the elites oppressing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-derber/nationalism-and-jingoism-essential-corollaries-of-militarism-are-also/) [Charles Derber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-derber/) ## More by Franklin D. Roosevelt > [In a democratic nation, power must be linked with responsibility, and obliged to defend and justify itself within the framework of the general good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-a-democratic-nation-power-must-be-linked-with-responsibility-and/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Inquisitiveness is the most useful talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/inquisitiveness-is-the-most-useful-talent/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > ['Peace on earth, good will toward men' - democracy must cling to that message. For it is my deep conviction that democracy cannot live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/peace-on-earth-good-will-toward-men-democracy-must-cling-to-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war ... I hate war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-hate-war/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/i-have-seen-war-i-have-seen-war-on-land-and-sea-i-have-seen-blood/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [All of our people all over the country-except the pure-blooded Indians-are immigrants or descendants of immigrants, including even those who came over here on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/all-of-our-people-all-over-the-country-except-the-pure-blooded/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [They have given their sons to the military services. They have stoked the furnaces and hurried the factory wheels. They have made the planes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/they-have-given-their-sons-to-the-military-services-they-have-stoked/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [On the European Front the most important development of the past year has been the crushing offensive of the Great Armies of Russia...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/on-the-european-front-the-most-important-development-of-the-past-year/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The core of our defense is the faith we have in the institutions we defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-core-of-our-defense-is-the-faith-we-have-in-the-institutions-we/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [War is a contagion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/war-is-a-contagion/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man which will give his political freedom realty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/labor-day-symbolizes-our-determination-to-achieve-an-economic-freedom/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Too often in recent history liberal governments have been wrecked on rocks of loose fiscal policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/too-often-in-recent-history-liberal-governments-have-been-wrecked-on/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The frontier of America is on the Rhine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-frontier-of-america-is-on-the-rhine/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/repetition-does-not-transform-a-lie-into-a-truth/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in politics. The growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-future-lies-with-those-wise-political-leaders-who-realize-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) [Explore all 521 Franklin D. Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More Civilization quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Sentiment is the mightiest force in civilization; not sentimentality, but sentiment. Women will bring this into politics. Home, sweet home, is as powerful on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-ellen-foster/sentiment-is-the-mightiest-force-in-civilization-not-sentimentality/) [Judith Ellen Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-ellen-foster/) > [Violence is not necessary to destroy a civilization. Each civilization dies from indifference toward the unique values which created it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-gomez-davila/violence-is-not-necessary-to-destroy-a-civilization-each-civilization/) [Nicolas Gomez Davila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-gomez-davila/) > [“The voice in the head that never stops speaking becomes a civilization that is obsessed with form and therefore knows nothing of the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/the-voice-in-the-head-that-never-stops-speaking-becomes-a/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [We released 400,000 classified documents, the most extraordinary history of a war to ever have been released in our civilization. Those documents cover 109,000…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/we-released-400-000-classified-documents-the-most-extraordinary/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things of the world that has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/wine-is-one-of-the-most-civilized-things-in-the-world-and-one-of-the/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [Whenever we touch nature we get clean. People who have got dirty through too much civilization take a walk in the woods, or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/whenever-we-touch-nature-we-get-clean-people-who-have-got-dirty/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“The mission is, not to replace old world mindlessness with new world mindlessness, but to put an end to all forms of brainless authoritarianism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/the-mission-is-not-to-replace-old-world-mindlessness-with-new-world/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We are somehow the children of the planet, we are somehow its finest hour; we bind time, we bind the past, we anticipate the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/we-are-somehow-the-children-of-the-planet-we-are-somehow-its-finest/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [Our civilization, bequeathed to us by fierce adventurers, eaters of meat and hunters, is so full of hurry and combat, so busy about many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/our-civilization-bequeathed-to-us-by-fierce-adventurers-eaters-of/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Once we allow ourselves to be disobedient to the test of an accountant's profit, we have begun to change our civilization.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-maynard-keynes/once-we-allow-ourselves-to-be-disobedient-to-the-test-of-an/) [John Maynard Keynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-maynard-keynes/) > [Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-josiah-brewer/our-laws-and-our-institutions-must-necessarily-be-based-upon-and/) [David Josiah Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-josiah-brewer/) [Browse all 4,084 Civilization quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civilization/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You cannot organize civilization around the core of militarism and at the same time expect reason to control human destinies.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Franklin D. Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/you-cannot-organize-civilization-around-the-core-of-militarism-and-at/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Civilization" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/you-cannot-organize-civilization-around-the-core-of-militarism-and-at/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cb/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_civilization_you-cannot-organize-civilization-around_800262.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You cannot organize civilization around the core of militarism and at the same time expect reason to control…” — Franklin D. Roosevelt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Franklin D. Roosevelt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You cannot organize civilization around the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/you-cannot-organize-civilization-around-the-core-of-militarism-and-at/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/you-cannot-organize-civilization-around-the-core-of-militarism-and-at/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```