Abstraction Quote by Javier Perez de Cuellar
“Human nature being what it is, peace must inevitably be a relative condition. The essence of life is struggle and competition, and to that extent perfect peace is an almost meaningless abstraction. Struggle and competition are stimulating, but when they degenerate into conflict it is usually both destructive and disruptive. The aim of political institutions like the United Nations is to draw the line between struggle and conflict and to make it possible for nations to stay on the right side of that line...”
About This Quote
Source Speech: United Nations General Assembly, 1995
Human nature drives competition and struggle, making absolute peace unrealistic; institutions aim to limit conflict.
In simple terms: Competition is natural; perfect peace is unrealistic;
Key Takeaway
Support institutions that manage conflict.
Themes
politics
human nature
conflict
peace
institutions
Mood
reflective
serious
hopeful
Type
political
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- international diplomacy
- policy making
- conflict resolution
- peacekeeping
- global governance
Key Concepts
competition
struggle
conflict management
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance competition with cooperation?
- What limits should institutions set on conflict?
A Different Perspective
Peace cannot be absolute; it is a managed condition.
