Fitness Quote by John Steinbeck
![“It [the Mexican War] was a training ground for generals, so that when the sad self-murders settled on us, the leaders knew the techniques for making it properly horrible.” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5b7/john-steinbeck-71_fitness_it-the-mexican-war-was-a-training-ground_809852.jpg)
““It [the Mexican War] was a training ground for generals, so that when the sad self-murders settled on us, the leaders knew the techniques for making it properly horrible.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Grapes of Wrath, 1939
The quote likens the Mexican War to a rehearsal for leaders, suggesting that the experience taught them how to orchestrate large-scale suffering effectively.
In simple terms: War trains leaders to create massive horror efficiently.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the dangers of militaristic learning.
Themes
war
leadership
human suffering
history
Mood
cynical
reflective
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political decision‑making
- military training
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
military strategy
psychology of power
ethical decay
Questions to Reflect On
- Can training in war ever be justified?
- How do societies prevent learned cruelty?
A Different Perspective
The quote may oversimplify complex historical causes and individual motivations.
![“I made reference continuously to the killings, the death, the life taken by all of these narcotrafficking gangs and human smugglers. I spoke of this problem as one of the wounds that Mexico suffers. It's a great pain that I'm taking, because this nation [Mexicans] doesn't deserve a drama like this…” quote by Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c7a/pope-francis-85_death_i-made-reference-continuously-to-the-kil_2083898.jpg)
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
