Activity Quote by Michael Lind
“For realists, war is like surgery-a painful and dangerous activity that is sometimes necessary ... A pacifist is like a Christian Scientist who is against surgery even when the alternative is the crippling or death of the patient.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Future of War: A History of Warfare in the 21st Century, 2018
War is a necessary, painful intervention like surgery; pacifism rejects it even when alternatives are worse.
In simple terms: War is a harsh but sometimes needed cure; pacifism can ignore urgent needs.
Key Takeaway
Weigh costs and benefits before opposing conflict.
Themes
ethics
war
pacifism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- policy making
- military strategy
- humanitarian crises
Key Concepts
realism
moral philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- When is violence truly justified?
- Can non‑violent solutions ever replace war?
A Different Perspective
War can cause lasting trauma beyond immediate threats.
![“I will not call myself a pacifist for the very simple reason that if something like a [Francisco] Franco should arise in Spain again, or, for that matter, in America, and tried to take away whatever dwindling civil liberties and human rights we retain, I would resist them with a club if I had to…” quote by Murray Bookchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f46/murray-bookchin-2587_admiration_i-will-not-call-myself-a-pacifist-for-th_1047865.jpg)
