--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Anyone who clings to the historically…" description: "\"Anyone who clings to the historically untrue-and thoroughly immoral-doctrine that, 'violence never settles anything' I would advise to conjure the ghos..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/robert-a-heinlein-209_advise_anyone-who-clings-to-the-historically-un_1006159.jpg" --- # Anyone who clings to the historically untrue-and… ![“Anyone who clings to the historically untrue-and thoroughly immoral-doctrine that, 'violence never settles anything' I would advise to conjure the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington and let them debate it. The ghost of Hitler could referee, and the jury might well be the Dodo…” quote by Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/robert-a-heinlein-209_advise_anyone-who-clings-to-the-historically-un_1006159.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/robert-a-heinlein-209_advise_anyone-who-clings-to-the-historically-un_1006159.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ed/robert-a-heinlein-209_advise_anyone-who-clings-to-the-historically-un_1006159.jpg) > “Anyone who clings to the historically untrue-and thoroughly immoral-doctrine that, 'violence never settles anything' I would advise to conjure the ghosts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Duke of Wellington and let them debate it. The ghost of Hitler could referee, and the jury might well be the Dodo, the Great Auk and the Passenger Pigeon. Violence, naked force, has settled more issues in history than has any other factor, and the contrary opinion is wishful thinking at its worst. Breeds that forget this basic truth have always paid for it with their lives and freedom.” [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Violence has historically resolved conflicts more often than idealistic non‑violent approaches, though it carries severe moral costs. **In simple terms:** Violence often wins conflicts. Key Takeaway Consider ethical limits of force. Themes conflict ethics history power violence Mood critical thought‑provoking Type philosophical controversial When to use this quote - war - political negotiations - civil rights movements - personal self‑defense Key Concepts realpolitik moral philosophy historical precedent Questions to Reflect On - When is force justified? - What alternatives exist to violent resolution? A Different Perspective Non‑violent strategies can achieve lasting peace where force fails. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bonaparte/) [Debate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/debate/) [Doctrine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctrine/) [Ghost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ghost/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Never settle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-settle/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Pigeons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pigeons/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellington/) [Wishful thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wishful-thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Anyone who clings to the historically untrue -- and -- thoroughly immoral doctrine that violence never solves anything I would advise to conjure up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein-2/anyone-who-clings-to-the-historically-untrue-and-thoroughly-immoral-2/) [Robert A Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein-2/) > [You remember the Duke of Wellington was talking of the Battle of Waterloo when he said that it was not that the British soldiers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-h-dunn/you-remember-the-duke-of-wellington-was-talking-of-the-battle-of/) [Paul H. 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