---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only during a period of war does it…"
description: "\"“Only during a period of war does it become obvious how millions of people can be manipulated. People, millions of people, are filled with pride while ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/leo-tolstoy-55_doing-things_only-during-a-period-of-war-does-it-beco_1730902.png"
---

#  Only during a period of war does it become obvious how…

![“Only during a period of war does it become obvious how millions of people can be manipulated. People, millions of people, are filled with pride while doing things which those same people actually consider stupid, evil, dangerous, painful, and criminal, and they strongly criticize these things—but…” quote by Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/leo-tolstoy-55_doing-things_only-during-a-period-of-war-does-it-beco_1730902.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/leo-tolstoy-55_doing-things_only-during-a-period-of-war-does-it-beco_1730902.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3b7/leo-tolstoy-55_doing-things_only-during-a-period-of-war-does-it-beco_1730902.png)

> ““Only during a period of war does it become obvious how millions of people can be manipulated. People, millions of people, are filled with pride while doing things which those same people actually consider stupid, evil, dangerous, painful, and criminal, and they strongly criticize these things—but continue doing them.””

[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 reveals how masses can act against their own rational judgment.

**In simple terms:** War shows irrational mass behavior.

Key Takeaway

Question authority in conflict.

Themes

war psychology mass behavior

Mood

somber reflective

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

- political movements
- military campaigns
- social media manipulation

Key Concepts

propaganda groupthink

Questions to Reflect On

- Why do people follow harmful actions?
- How can awareness reduce manipulation?

A Different Perspective

People may act irrationally due to fear or loyalty.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

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