Men Quote by Jeannette Rankin
“If they are going to have war, they ought to take the old men and leave the young to propagate the race.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: U.S. House of Representatives, 1917
In war, the elderly should be spared, preserving the young to continue the lineage and future of humanity.
In simple terms: Older people should be protected in war, leaving the young to survive.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize protecting the vulnerable in conflict.
Themes
war
ethics
generational responsibility
Mood
concerned
ethical
Type
ethical
political
When to use this quote
- military drafting
- civil defense planning
- humanitarian policy
- family protection strategies
Key Concepts
protecting the elderly
population continuity
moral duty
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it ethical to prioritize one age group over another in war?
- What alternatives exist to protect all civilians?
A Different Perspective
Sacrificing the young may be seen as utilitarian and controversial.
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)