--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think there's evil on both sides [of…" description: "\"I think there's evil on both sides [of Syria], and I think that's one reason I don't want to be involved in civil war. I see things in personal terms. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/rand-paul-606_both-sides_i-think-there-s-evil-on-both-sides-of-sy_1708560.jpg" --- # I think there's evil on both sides \[of Syria\], and I think… ![“I think there's evil on both sides [of Syria], and I think that's one reason I don't want to be involved in civil war. I see things in personal terms. I just can't see sending one of my sons - or your son or daughter - to fight in a civil war, where on one side we have a dictator, who in all…” quote by Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/rand-paul-606_both-sides_i-think-there-s-evil-on-both-sides-of-sy_1708560.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/rand-paul-606_both-sides_i-think-there-s-evil-on-both-sides-of-sy_1708560.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f0f/rand-paul-606_both-sides_i-think-there-s-evil-on-both-sides-of-sy_1708560.jpg) > “I think there's evil on both sides \[of Syria\], and I think that's one reason I don't want to be involved in civil war. I see things in personal terms. I just can't see sending one of my sons - or your son or daughter - to fight in a civil war, where on one side we have a dictator, who in all likelihood gassed his people.” [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Paul expresses personal reluctance to support civil war, emphasizing the human cost and moral complexity of fighting against a dictator who also commits atrocities. **In simple terms:** He opposes civil war due to personal and moral concerns. Key Takeaway Consider human impact before supporting conflict. Themes war morality civil conflict human cost political ethics Mood reflective concerned Type ethical personal When to use this quote - family discussions - policy debates - media commentary - educational forums - peace advocacy Key Concepts Just war theory ethical dilemmas personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What ethical criteria should guide support for a civil war? - How do personal ties influence political decisions? A Different Perspective Supporting a dictator may also be morally problematic; war may be inevitable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Both sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/both-sides/) [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Daughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daughter/) [Dictator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictator/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Syria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/syria/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Shoot the dictator and prevent the war? But the dictator is merely the tip of the whole festering boil of social pus from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/shoot-the-dictator-and-prevent-the-war-but-the-dictator-is-merely-the/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [We have a war dictator who was not elected, he snuck in. so he punishes people that threaten him in any way, or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/we-have-a-war-dictator-who-was-not-elected-he-snuck-in-so-he-punishes/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [Good necessitates evil and the two sides of that disk are not always clearly marked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-leckie/good-necessitates-evil-and-the-two-sides-of-that-disk-are-not-always/) [Ann Leckie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-leckie/) > [There are things I take sides about, like capital punishment, which it seems to me there is only one side about: it is evil.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt-2/there-are-things-i-take-sides-about-like-capital-punishment-which-it/) [A. S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt-2/) > [First of all, I don't believe that the United States has any strategic interest in Syria. I think, from a strategic point of view,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mearsheimer/first-of-all-i-don-t-believe-that-the-united-states-has-any-strategic/) [John Mearsheimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mearsheimer/) > [The problem in Syria, I think, is that when there is so much violence, there is not only very little chance to create spaces…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nigel-gibson/the-problem-in-syria-i-think-is-that-when-there-is-so-much-violence/) [Nigel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nigel-gibson/) > [The issue with Syria, I think for many of us, has always been about Iran. This is an anchor point for them in terms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-keane/the-issue-with-syria-i-think-for-many-of-us-has-always-been-about/) [Jack Keane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-keane/) > [I would not use American ground forces in Syria. I think that would be a very serious mistake. I don't think American troops should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-would-not-use-american-ground-forces-in-syria-i-think-that-would-be/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [I will not vote to send my sons, or your sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or friends to fight for a stalemate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-will-not-vote-to-send-my-sons-or-your-sons-daughters-brothers/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [If you're white and you're rich in the USA, if you get busted for drugs, you get a good attorney, and you in all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/if-you-re-white-and-you-re-rich-in-the-usa-if-you-get-busted-for/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [You marry a non-graduate, then you are going to worry if your son or daughter is going to make it to the university.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/you-marry-a-non-graduate-then-you-are-going-to-worry-if-your-son-or/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [You have given us something more than money, you have given us a lot of your sons, your children that were killed beside our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ibrahim-al-jaafari/you-have-given-us-something-more-than-money-you-have-given-us-a-lot/) Ibrahim al-Jaafari > [Of course you want your son, your children, to be proud of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlize-theron/of-course-you-want-your-son-your-children-to-be-proud-of-you/) [Charlize Theron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlize-theron/) > [It is cruel for you to leave your daughter, so full of hopeand resolve, to suffer the humiliations of disfranchisement she already feels so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-b-anthony/it-is-cruel-for-you-to-leave-your-daughter-so-full-of-hopeand-resolve/) [Susan B. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-b-anthony/) > [I believe it from the bottom of my heart, and your sons and daughters, too, can have the American dream come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-a-ribicoff/i-believe-it-from-the-bottom-of-my-heart-and-your-sons-and-daughters/) [Abraham A. Ribicoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-a-ribicoff/) ## More by Rand Paul > [I have a question, a question for the president: Do you hate all rich people, or just rich people who don't contribute to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-have-a-question-a-question-for-the-president-do-you-hate-all-rich/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-am-encouraged-president-obama-now-says-he-will-fulfill-his/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can tell you who's planning terroris attacks. The leaders of ISIL. And I can tell you where they're at. They're in Raqqa, Syria.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-tell-you-who-s-planning-terroris-attacks-the-leaders-of-isil/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [There comes a time, in the history of Nations when fear and forgetfulness cause a nation to hesitate, to waver and perhaps even to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/there-comes-a-time-in-the-history-of-nations-when-fear-and/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/as-long-as-i-sit-at-henry-clay-s-desk-i-will-remember-his-lifelong/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-believe-people-ought-to-be-treated-fairly-under-the-law-i-see-no/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think that, most importantly, when I see issues of war, I see them in a personal vein, and I am reluctant to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-that-most-importantly-when-i-see-issues-of-war-i-see-them-in/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would have handled it differently than the mayor of Baltimore, that's for sure. I think it's a mistake to say, hey, guys, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-have-handled-it-differently-than-the-mayor-of-baltimore-that/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We have to think before we act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-have-to-think-before-we-act/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I would introduce and support legislation to send Roe v. Wade back to the states.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-would-introduce-and-support-legislation-to-send-roe-v-wade-back-to/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [President Obama, I think, wanted what was best for the country, but I think it didn't work well. I think we have the death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/president-obama-i-think-wanted-what-was-best-for-the-country-but-i/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I think it's a mistake to downgrade and say surveillance is no big deal. It is a huge deal that we are collecting millions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-think-it-s-a-mistake-to-downgrade-and-say-surveillance-is-no-big/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We need a revival in the country,” Paul said. “We need another Great Awakening with tent revivals of thousands of people saying, 'reform or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-need-a-revival-in-the-country-paul-said-we-need-another-great/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [We do not project power from bankruptcy court. We're borrowing a million dollars a minute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/we-do-not-project-power-from-bankruptcy-court-we-re-borrowing-a/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [I can use most of the tools that every American teenager can master. Maybe not all of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-can-use-most-of-the-tools-that-every-american-teenager-can-master/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) [Explore all 449 Rand Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) ## More Both sides quotes > [I hope that the Palestinians don't make the mistake of unleashing a new intifada. They've tried it twice before, and the consequences were bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-segev/i-hope-that-the-palestinians-don-t-make-the-mistake-of-unleashing-a/) [Tom Segev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-segev/) > [Some of the folks on both sides might be sincere, but it does seem as if it is only the opposition that cares about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-bovard/some-of-the-folks-on-both-sides-might-be-sincere-but-it-does-seem-as/) [James Bovard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-bovard/) > [There's no way to have a peace agreement unless the mediator or negotiator looks at both sides from an equal basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/there-s-no-way-to-have-a-peace-agreement-unless-the-mediator-or/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [It's almost inevitable there's going to be an escalation on both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-luther/it-s-almost-inevitable-there-s-going-to-be-an-escalation-on-both-sides/) Bill Luther > [I have yet to see someone attack Obama over his report card. A lot of people I talk to from both sides of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupe-fiasco/i-have-yet-to-see-someone-attack-obama-over-his-report-card-a-lot-of/) [Lupe Fiasco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupe-fiasco/) > [I have an office full of product from brands trying to be in videos and an inbox full of songs from artists, but at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-kluger/i-have-an-office-full-of-product-from-brands-trying-to-be-in-videos/) [Adam Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-kluger/) > [I am like all other atheists only in that I do not believe there are any gods. Beyond that, I may differ dramatically in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-carrier/i-am-like-all-other-atheists-only-in-that-i-do-not-believe-there-are/) [Richard Carrier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-carrier/) > [When the war ends, it will be found that there was an equal amount of 'thuggery' practiced on both sides, that terrible things were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-jones/when-the-war-ends-it-will-be-found-that-there-was-an-equal-amount-of/) [Rufus Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-jones/) > [I find that Americans are all in the middle somewhere, except for the extreme nuts, and extreme nuts on both sides are the loudest.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-titus/i-find-that-americans-are-all-in-the-middle-somewhere-except-for-the/) [Christopher Titus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-titus/) > [My family was musical on both sides. My father's family had a famous flautist and a classical pianist. My mother won a contest to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/my-family-was-musical-on-both-sides-my-father-s-family-had-a-famous/) [Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/) > [I come from a long line of saloon keepers and proselytizers, and I draw from both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-huntsman-jr/i-come-from-a-long-line-of-saloon-keepers-and-proselytizers-and-i/) [Jon Huntsman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-huntsman-jr/) > [I usually accept bribes from both sides so that tainted money can never influence my decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/i-usually-accept-bribes-from-both-sides-so-that-tainted-money-can/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [I really like seeing players like Ousmane Dembele and other players who can take corners from both sides and things like that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jude-bellingham/i-really-like-seeing-players-like-ousmane-dembele-and-other-players/) [Jude Bellingham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jude-bellingham/) > [I come from both sides of the spectrum: I grew up listening to hip-hop and R&B then learned how to make a track by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lotic/i-come-from-both-sides-of-the-spectrum-i-grew-up-listening-to-hip-hop/) [Lotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lotic/) > [ \[Albert Camus\] positions are sensed. So, naturally, those intellectuals who don't have that experience have difficulty in comprehending it. But I think it made… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-camus/albert-camus-positions-are-sensed-so-naturally-those-intellectuals/) [Catherine Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-camus/) [Browse all 597 Both sides quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/both-sides/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think there's evil on both sides [of Syria], and I think that's one reason I don't want to be involved in civil war. I see things in personal terms. 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