Ambition Quote by Paddy Chayefsky
“It's not greed and ambition that makes wars--it's goodness. Wars are always fought for the best of reasons, for liberation or manifest destiny, always against tyranny and always in the best interests of humanity. So far this war, we've managed to butcher some 10,000,000 people in the interest of humanity. The next war, it seems we'll have to destroy all of man in order to preserve his damn dignity.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, possibly interview or commentary on war, date unspecified
War is portrayed as a moral endeavor, but the paradox of massive loss for sohumanitarian” ends reveals its inherent cruelty and self‑destruction
In simple terms: War claims moral purpose yet causes massive suffering
Key Takeaway
Recognize the gap between rhetoric and reality
Themes
war
morality
humanity
paradox
destruction
Mood
cynical
reflective
somber
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- policy debates
- military planning
- public discourse
- humanitarian interventions
Key Concepts
Ethics
justification
human cost
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral justifications are used for war?
- How do we reconcile claimed righteousness with civilian casualties?
A Different Perspective
The claim that wars are always for good ignores historical exploitation and profit motives
![“What has happened here [aftermath of 9/11] is not war in its traditional sense. This is clearly a crime against humanity. War crimes are crimes which happen in war time. There is a confusion there. This is a crime against humanity because it is deliberate and intentional killing of large numbers…” quote by Benjamin B. Ferencz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d6f/benjamin-b-ferencz-43385_aftermath_what-has-happened-here-aftermath-of-9-11_1058536.jpg)
