War Quote by John Williams
““But I can see what has ensued. A war doesn’t merely kill off a few thousand or a few hundred thousand young men. It kills off something in a people that can never be brought back. And if a people goes through enough wars, pretty soon all that’s left is the brute, the creature that we—you and I and others like us—have brought up from the slime.” He paused for a long moment; then he smiled slightly. “The scholar should not be asked to destroy what he has aimed his life to build.””
About This Quote
War destroys a people's soul, reducing them to brutish beings; scholars should not be forced to destroy their life's work.
In simple terms: War erodes humanity; scholars shouldn't destroy their work.
Key Takeaway
Preserve humanity.
Themes
war
humanity
culture
scholarship
destruction
ethics
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
cautionary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- peacebuilding
- education
- cultural preservation
- policy making
Key Concepts
history
philosophy
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does conflict shape identity?
- What role should scholars play in peace?
A Different Perspective
War can also inspire resilience.
![“[D]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without a conscience a man may never be said to grow old. This is an age of very old young men.” quote by Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/076/hesketh-pearson-35291_age_d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-w_14010.jpg)
