--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In all history there is no war which was…" description: "\"In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c33/leo-tolstoy-55_history_in-all-history-there-is-no-war-which-was_3030288.png" --- # In all history there is no war which was not hatched by… ![“In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war is always pernicious even when successful.” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c33/leo-tolstoy-55_history_in-all-history-there-is-no-war-which-was_3030288.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c33/leo-tolstoy-55_history_in-all-history-there-is-no-war-which-was_3030288.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c33/leo-tolstoy-55_history_in-all-history-there-is-no-war-which-was_3030288.png) > “In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war is always pernicious even when successful.” [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War is driven solely by governments, independent of popular interests, and always harms the people even when deemed successful. **In simple terms:** Governments start wars that hurt citizens. Key Takeaway Question authority’s motives in conflict. Themes politics war government ethics power Mood critical somber Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy analysis - public debates - peace activism Key Concepts political theory moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - What evidence shows public consent for war? - How can citizens hold leaders accountable? A Different Perspective Governments may claim popular support, complicating the narrative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/in-all-history-there-is-no-war-which-was-not-hatched-by-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [History and war are cruel pedants. 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I am reluctant to let that fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/ridding-iraq-of-weapons-of-mass-destruction-that-was-the-whole-idea/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [This is the first time in history that a war has involved the whole world, and also it may last many years more; this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-zweig/this-is-the-first-time-in-history-that-a-war-has-involved-the-whole/) [Stefan Zweig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-zweig/) > [Now, I believe that war is never inevitable until it starts, but there has been a great proclivity in human history, and including in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/now-i-believe-that-war-is-never-inevitable-until-it-starts-but-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Leo Tolstoy > [These joys were so trifling as to be as imperceptible as grains of gold among the sand, and in moments of depression she saw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/these-joys-were-so-trifling-as-to-be-as-imperceptible-as-grains-of/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [The only significance of life consists in helping to establish the kingdom of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-only-significance-of-life-consists-in-helping-to-establish-the/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“I already love in you your beauty, but I am only beginning to love in you that which is eternal and ever precious –…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/i-already-love-in-you-your-beauty-but-i-am-only-beginning-to-love-in/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [Energy rests upon love; and come as it will, there's no forcing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/energy-rests-upon-love-and-come-as-it-will-there-s-no-forcing-it/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [“If you only knew what those society women are, and women in general! 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