Admiral Quote by Helmut Schmidt
“Admirals and Generals always want more ships and more weapons and they take the arguments where they can find them.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: NATO Summit, 1972
Leaders constantly seek more military power, exploiting any argument to justify expansion.
In simple terms: Leaders crave more weapons.
Key Takeaway
Question the drive for endless armament.
Themes
military
politics
power
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- defense policy debates
- budget allocations
- peace negotiations
Key Concepts
political science
strategic studies
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Is more always better?
- What are the costs of endless armament?
A Different Perspective
May ignore diplomatic solutions.
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![“[Ronald] Reagan seems to be a man of some basic convictions and on the other hand willing to let others do the ground homework, the detailed work.” quote by Helmut Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7fd/helmut-schmidt-23706_be-a-man_ronald-reagan-seems-to-be-a-man-of-some_139379.jpg)
![“President [Ronald] Reagan never has tried to become an expert on military matters. He never has endeavored to learn the most important details in that field, which lead to a situation in which his aides played a much greater roles than aides would have played under President Ford or let us say in…” quote by Helmut Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cae/helmut-schmidt-23706_details_president-ronald-reagan-never-has-tried_724412.jpg)
![“President [Ronald] Reagan told me he would negotiate and negotiate and negotiate with the Soviets, and I believed him.” quote by Helmut Schmidt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/93a/helmut-schmidt-23706_president_president-ronald-reagan-told-me-he-would_1072952.jpg)
