Enemy Hatred Quote by Henry Wager Halleck
““I do not shoot at my military enemy from hatred or revenge; I fight against him because the paramount interests of my country cannot be secured without destroying the instrument by which they are assailed.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Letter to General George B. McClellan, 1862
He argues that war should be fought for national security, not personal hatred, targeting the enemy’s capacity rather than the individual.
In simple terms: War is justified by national interest, not personal revenge.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize strategic goals over emotions.
Themes
war
ethics
national security
strategy
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy decisions
- defense planning
- conflict resolution
- diplomacy
Key Concepts
realpolitik
just war theory
military doctrine
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ever just to target an enemy’s means rather than the person?
- How do we balance strategic necessity with ethical responsibility?
A Different Perspective
It may ignore moral costs of civilian harm.
