--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: War being the greatest of evils, all its…" description: "\"War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character.\" — Herman Melville" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg" --- # War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories… ![“War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character.” quote by Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg) > “War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character.” [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War embodies the worst evils, and all its associated practices share the same destructive nature. **In simple terms:** War and its tools are equally evil. Key Takeaway Reject war’s influence. Themes war evil morality Mood somber critical Type philosophical political When to use this quote - policy debates - peace activism Key Concepts political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - Can any aspect of war be justified? - How do societies heal post‑war? A Different Perspective Complex geopolitics can blur moral lines. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accessories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accessories/) [Accessories Necessarily](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accessories-necessarily-3757884/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Evils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evils/) [Greatest Evils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-evils-284865/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [War Greatest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war-greatest-481759/) ## Related quotes > [Our greatest evils flow from ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-jacques-rousseau/our-greatest-evils-flow-from-ourselves/) [Jean-Jacques Rousseau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-jacques-rousseau/) > [“The answer to the problem of evil does not lie in trying to establish its point of origin, for that is simply not revealed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-r-trueman-2/the-answer-to-the-problem-of-evil-does-not-lie-in-trying-to-establish/) [Carl R. Trueman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-r-trueman-2/) > [To do injustice is the greatest of all evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/to-do-injustice-is-the-greatest-of-all-evils/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [The greatest evils of society are goods that have refused to go on, but have sat down on the highway, saying to the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-ward-howe/the-greatest-evils-of-society-are-goods-that-have-refused-to-go-on/) [Julia Ward Howe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-ward-howe/) > [The greatest of all evils is a weak government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/the-greatest-of-all-evils-is-a-weak-government/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [People with the purest souls are capable of the greatest evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/people-with-the-purest-souls-are-capable-of-the-greatest-evils/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Most of the greatest evils that man has inflicted upon man have come through people feeling quite certain about something which, in fact, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/most-of-the-greatest-evils-that-man-has-inflicted-upon-man-have-come/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The Greatest evils inflicted by man over the face of the Earth are wrought not by the self-seekers, the pleasure lovers, or the merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-morrison-maciver/the-greatest-evils-inflicted-by-man-over-the-face-of-the-earth-are/) [Robert Morrison MacIver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-morrison-maciver/) > [Captivity is the greatest of all evils that can befall one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/captivity-is-the-greatest-of-all-evils-that-can-befall-one/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [The greatest evils, are from within us; and from ourselves also we must look for the greatest good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/the-greatest-evils-are-from-within-us-and-from-ourselves-also-we-must/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [To do wrong is the greatest of evils.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/to-do-wrong-is-the-greatest-of-evils/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“That was the most bitter irony of war: The greatest acts of love for your family were the ones that kept you apart from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-acker/that-was-the-most-bitter-irony-of-war-the-greatest-acts-of-love-for/) [Ben Acker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-acker/) > [War is the greatest failure of mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-huey/war-is-the-greatest-failure-of-mankind/) [Aaron Huey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-huey/) > [I share Alfred Nobel's conviction that war is the greatest of all human disasters. Infectious disease runs a good second.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-c-doherty/i-share-alfred-nobel-s-conviction-that-war-is-the-greatest-of-all/) [Peter C. Doherty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-c-doherty/) > [War is the greatest of all crimes; and yet there is no aggressor who does not color his crime with the pretext of justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/war-is-the-greatest-of-all-crimes-and-yet-there-is-no-aggressor-who/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) ## More by Herman Melville > [“and man, though idiotic, and knowing not what he does, yet full of the sweet things of love and gratitude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/and-man-though-idiotic-and-knowing-not-what-he-does-yet-full-of-the/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“But were the coming narrative to reveal in any instance, the complete abasement of poor Starbuck's fortitude, scarce might I have the heart to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/but-were-the-coming-narrative-to-reveal-in-any-instance-the-complete/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“(On Ralph Waldo Emerson)I love all men who dive. Any fish can swim near the surface, but it takes a great whale to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/on-ralph-waldo-emerson-i-love-all-men-who-dive-any-fish-can-swim-near/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“So seemed it to me, as I stood at her helm, and for long hours silently guided the way of this fire-ship on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/so-seemed-it-to-me-as-i-stood-at-her-helm-and-for-long-hours-silently/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“the only real owner of anything is its commander;”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/the-only-real-owner-of-anything-is-its-commander/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/consider-the-subtleness-of-the-sea-how-its-most-dreaded-creatures/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Is it that by its indefiniteness it shadows forth the heartless voids and immensities of the universe, and thus stabs us from behind with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/is-it-that-by-its-indefiniteness-it-shadows-forth-the-heartless-voids/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Now, as I before hinted, I have no objection to any person's religion, be it what it may, so long as that person does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/now-as-i-before-hinted-i-have-no-objection-to-any-person-s-religion/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Let America first praise mediocrity even, in her children, before she praises... the best excellence in the children of any other land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/let-america-first-praise-mediocrity-even-in-her-children-before-she/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Only the man who says no is free](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/only-the-man-who-says-no-is-free/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Beneath those stars is a universe of gliding monsters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/beneath-those-stars-is-a-universe-of-gliding-monsters/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [“Yet this is life. For hardly have we mortals by long toilings extracted from this world's vast bulk its small but valuable sperm; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/yet-this-is-life-for-hardly-have-we-mortals-by-long-toilings/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [I never fancied broiling fowls; - though once broiled, judiciously buttered, and judgmatically salted and peppered, there is no one who will speak more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/i-never-fancied-broiling-fowls-though-once-broiled-judiciously/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [War should be carried on like a monsoon; one changeless determination of every particle towards the one unalterable aim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-should-be-carried-on-like-a-monsoon-one-changeless-determination/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) > [Genius is full of trash.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/genius-is-full-of-trash/) [Herman Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) [Explore all 1,009 Herman Melville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/) ## More Accessories quotes > [The tie's a multi purpose accessory, y'know, belt, school boy, Rambo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noel-fielding/the-tie-s-a-multi-purpose-accessory-y-know-belt-school-boy-rambo/) [Noel Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noel-fielding/) > [Off the court, I tend to stick to the classics, but I like to have fun with color and accessories. I'm from Spain, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-hilfiger/off-the-court-i-tend-to-stick-to-the-classics-but-i-like-to-have-fun/) [Tommy Hilfiger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-hilfiger/) > [I think dressing up or down should be a creative experience. Exciting. Fun. For me the key to personal style lies in accessories. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/i-think-dressing-up-or-down-should-be-a-creative-experience-exciting/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [I love watches. I have a Hublot, a Breitling, and a Cartier. Different accessories that I match together just to be comfortable and casual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandler-parsons/i-love-watches-i-have-a-hublot-a-breitling-and-a-cartier-different/) [Chandler Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandler-parsons/) > [The unary Photograph has every reason to be banal, 'unity' of composition being the first rule of vulgar (and notably, of academic) rhetoric: 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roland-barthes/the-unary-photograph-has-every-reason-to-be-banal-unity-of/) [Roland Barthes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roland-barthes/) > [“Once you are dressed there may be still more you can do to enhance, complement, or complete your look. Simply changing your accessories will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/once-you-are-dressed-there-may-be-still-more-you-can-do-to-enhance/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [To complete my look, I like to add fun accessories such as a dainty necklace, bracelets and a ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/skai-jackson/to-complete-my-look-i-like-to-add-fun-accessories-such-as-a-dainty/) [Skai Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/skai-jackson/) > [For interiors, if you have a basic sofa, you can add fun throw pillows, and cool lighting to make the space more interesting. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremiah-brent/for-interiors-if-you-have-a-basic-sofa-you-can-add-fun-throw-pillows/) [Jeremiah Brent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremiah-brent/) > [When I think of Italy now, I think of accessories, possessions, bad TV, fake boobs, BMWs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valeria-golino/when-i-think-of-italy-now-i-think-of-accessories-possessions-bad-tv/) [Valeria Golino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valeria-golino/) > [Since I've become a mom, I'm more about comfort and simplicity. I'm essentially a jeans girl, and I dress them up or down with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessalyn-gilsig/since-i-ve-become-a-mom-i-m-more-about-comfort-and-simplicity-i-m/) [Jessalyn Gilsig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessalyn-gilsig/) > [I'll probably always have some black in my accessories, but it's also important to have a pop of color.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-rocha/i-ll-probably-always-have-some-black-in-my-accessories-but-it-s-also/) [Coco Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-rocha/) > [We're not saying 'no guns.' 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They may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loyd-auerbach/curiously-ghosts-are-rarely-if-ever-seen-in-the-nude-they-appear/) [Loyd Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loyd-auerbach/) > [Everyone has a best feature, so find clothes and accessories to accentuate those, whether it’s your shoulders or your long legs!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-gunn/everyone-has-a-best-feature-so-find-clothes-and-accessories-to/) [Tim Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-gunn/) [Browse all 275 Accessories quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accessories/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Herman Melville" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its-accessories-necessarily/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accessories" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its-accessories-necessarily/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/herman-melville-162_accessories_war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its_2845904.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“War being the greatest of evils, all its accessories necessarily partake of the same character.” — Herman Melville", "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": "Herman Melville", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-melville/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "War being the greatest of evils,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its-accessories-necessarily/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-melville/war-being-the-greatest-of-evils-all-its-accessories-necessarily/#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 } } ] } ```