Ghost Quote by John Dos Passos
““If any man has a ghost Bourne has a ghost a tiny twisted unscared ghost in a black cloak hopping along the grimy old brick and brownstone streets still left in downtown New York, crying out in a shrill soundless giggle: War is the health of the State.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Manhattan Transfer, 1925
War thrives when a state uses conflict to maintain power, suggesting that violence becomes a tool for governance and control.
In simple terms: War benefits the state, not the people.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind war.
Themes
power
war
state
control
politics
Mood
critical
somber
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- media narratives
- public opinion
- activism
Key Concepts
statecraft
military-industrial complex
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do governments promote war?
- How does war serve state interests?
A Different Perspective
War may be justified by those in power, ignoring human cost.
