Changed Quote by John Keegan
“Men killing other men really is an extraordinary phenomenon. Why does it happen? And how long has it gone on? And have the motives changed?”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Face of War, 1998
War is a rare, extreme human behavior whose causes and motives evolve over time.
In simple terms: War is unusual and its reasons change.
Key Takeaway
Study history to understand conflict.
Themes
conflict
human nature
history
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military analysis
- educational curricula
- policy debates
Key Concepts
political science
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do societies resort to killing?
- How have motives shifted across eras?
A Different Perspective
It may simplify complex geopolitical dynamics.
![“Hitler ... lacked the [inclination] for anything more than the occasional sensational display of emotion, in particular the great set-piece speech which mesmerized the mob and left him drained of ... energy.” quote by John Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cd3/john-keegan-14504_display_hitler-lacked-the-inclination-for-anythi_97177.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
