--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: While there is battle and hatred men have…" description: "\"“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, w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/herbert-butterfield-27137_conflict_while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-hav_7914.jpg" --- # While there is battle and hatred men have eyes for nothing… ![“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…” quote by Herbert Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/herbert-butterfield-27137_conflict_while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-hav_7914.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/herbert-butterfield-27137_conflict_while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-hav_7914.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/17a/herbert-butterfield-27137_conflict_while-there-is-battle-and-hatred-men-hav_7914.jpg) > ““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.”” [Herbert Butterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-butterfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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? 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