Common good Quote by John Keegan
““THE FIRST WORLD WAR was a tragic and unnecessary conflict. Unnecessary because the train of events that led to its outbreak might have been broken at any point during the five weeks of crisis that preceded the first clash of arms, had prudence or common goodwill found a voice; tragic because the consequences of the first clash ended the lives of ten million human beings, tortured the emotional lives of millions more, destroyed the benevolent and optimistic culture of the European continent and left, when the guns at last fell silent four years later, a legacy of political rancour and racial hatred so intense that no explanation of the causes of the Second World War can stand without reference to those roots.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Face of Battle, 1976
World War I could have been avoided with timely diplomatic action; its tragedy reshaped societies and sowed future conflicts.
In simple terms: War could have been stopped early, but its effects lasted long.
Key Takeaway
Recognize early signs to prevent large-scale conflict.
Themes
history
war
politics
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education
- conflict resolution
- memorials
Key Concepts
diplomacy
human cost
legacy
nationalism
Questions to Reflect On
- What early actions could have a the war?
- How do we address the lingering impacts today?
A Different Perspective
Complex causes make prevention difficult.
![“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)
