Conflict Quote by Herbert Butterfield
““While there is battle and hatred men have eyes for nothing save the fact that the enemy is the cause of all the troubles; but long, long afterwards, when all passion has been spent, the historian often sees that it was a conflict between one half-right that was perhaps too proud; and behind even this he discerns that it was a terrible predicament, which had the effect of putting men so at cross-purposes with one another.””
About This Quote
War is driven by assigning blame to an external enemy, but later analysis reveals deeper internal flaws and pride that create self‑defeating conflict.
In simple terms: Conflicts stem from misplaced blame and internal hubris.
Key Takeaway
Look beyond the enemy to hidden motives.
Themes
blame
pride
historical reinterpretation
self‑defeat
misattribution
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- military strategy
- organizational disputes
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
enemy
pride
conflict
historian
Practical Applications
- reframing narratives
- identifying root causes
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence would shift blame from external to internal causes?
- How does pride sustain a conflict even after its original cause fades?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes external threats are genuine and not merely projections of internal flaws.
