Animal Quote by Mark Twain
“Man is the only animal that deals in that atorcity of atrocities, War. He is the only one that gathers his brethren about him and goes forth in cold blood and calm pulse to exterminate his kind.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The War of the Worlds by H. G. Wells, 1898
Humanity uniquely creates and perpetuates large‑scale violence, gathering others to commit collective bloodshed.
In simple terms: Humans organize war and kill each other.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and break cycles of collective violence.
Themes
war
human nature
violence
collective behavior
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political conflict
- military recruitment
- media propaganda
- peace activism
Key Concepts
psychology
morality
history
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms enable mass participation in war?
- How can societies foster non‑violent cooperation?
A Different Perspective
War is often rationalized, ignoring individual agency.
![“If they [Mexicans] touch the hair of the head of one of our citizens, tell him [Commodore Dallas] to batter down and destroy their town and exterminate the inhabitants from the face of the earth!” quote by Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a2b/andrew-jackson-2317_citizens_if-they-mexicans-touch-the-hair-of-the-h_393125.jpg)
