--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: War, and the preparation for war, are the…" description: "\"War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious cycle of arms buildups, violence and poverty.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png" --- # War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest… ![“War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious cycle of arms buildups, violence and poverty.” quote by Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png) > “War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious cycle of arms buildups, violence and poverty.” [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War and its buildup divert resources, create violence, and trap societies in poverty, hindering development and peace. **In simple terms:** War blocks progress. Key Takeaway Arms races perpetuate poverty. Themes conflict economics peace development politics Mood somber urgent reflective Type political philosophical When to use this quote - policy planning - peace negotiations - development aid - military budgeting - humanitarian work Key Concepts resource allocation security dilemma human welfare Practical Applications - advocating disarmament - designing conflict‑prevention strategies Questions to Reflect On - How can societies break the cycle of militarization? - What policies can redirect resources from war to development? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cycles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cycles/) [Fostering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fostering/) [Greatest obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-obstacles/) [Human progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-progress/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Poverty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poverty/) [Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Vicious cycles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vicious-cycles/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [“There is no lie in war or preparation of war that can't be defended. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/there-is-no-lie-in-war-or-preparation-of-war-that-can-t-be-defended/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [I appeal to all men and women, whether they be eminent or humble, to declare that they will refuse to give any further assistance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/i-appeal-to-all-men-and-women-whether-they-be-eminent-or-humble-to/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The cause of war is preparation for war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-e-b-du-bois/the-cause-of-war-is-preparation-for-war/) [W. E. B. Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) > [The imbalance I speak of in the world, which we see manifested in wars, violence, poverty and other depressed social conditions stems from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-imbalance-i-speak-of-in-the-world-which-we-see-manifested-in-wars/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [ Obviously these conditions \[violence, poverty\] predate the \[Barack\] Obama presidency and the president has limited ways to dent this violence. But funding war weapons… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-malveaux/obviously-these-conditions-violence-poverty-predate-the-barack-obama/) [Julianne Malveaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-malveaux/) > [The lack of marriage is being blamed for almost every social ill - whether it's gun violence, whether it's poverty, whether it's the dropping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-traister/the-lack-of-marriage-is-being-blamed-for-almost-every-social-ill/) [Rebecca Traister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-traister/) > [Violence, poverty and health disparities have many inputs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/violence-poverty-and-health-disparities-have-many-inputs/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [I may not remember the name of a book's author, but let it be clear, what I will not forget is the violence, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enrique-pena-nieto/i-may-not-remember-the-name-of-a-book-s-author-but-let-it-be-clear/) [Enrique Pena Nieto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enrique-pena-nieto/) > [Let's focus on the real causes of violence, poverty and health disparities to heal Baltimore and transform it into a successful and positive model…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leana-s-wen/let-s-focus-on-the-real-causes-of-violence-poverty-and-health/) [Leana S. Wen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leana-s-wen/) > [We know that there are several predisposing factors to gun violence: poverty, lack of education, lack of good parenting, lack of jobs, living in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joycelyn-elders/we-know-that-there-are-several-predisposing-factors-to-gun-violence/) [Joycelyn Elders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joycelyn-elders/) > [I think there are so many children being brought up in some form of violence, be it violence of poverty or sexism or racism…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eve-ensler/i-think-there-are-so-many-children-being-brought-up-in-some-form-of/) [Eve Ensler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eve-ensler/) > [“Preparation for war was fucking with his sleep. And his fucking.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kit-rocha/preparation-for-war-was-fucking-with-his-sleep-and-his-fucking/) [Kit Rocha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kit-rocha/) > [In times of peace, the war party insists on making preparation for war. As soon as prepared for, it insists on making war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-times-of-peace-the-war-party-insists-on-making-preparation-for-war/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In peace, as a wise man, he should make suitable preparation for war.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-peace-as-a-wise-man-he-should-make-suitable-preparation-for-war/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [This is the true lesson of our history: war, preparation for war, and foreign military interventions have served for the most part not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-higgs/this-is-the-true-lesson-of-our-history-war-preparation-for-war-and/) [Robert Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-higgs/) ## More by Oscar Arias > [The 20th century has been marked by cynicism, selfishness, greed, and the desire to please, all without changing the status quo. In the 21st…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-20th-century-has-been-marked-by-cynicism-selfishness-greed-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [On Dec. 1, 1948, after the triumph of the revolution, which insured the final victory of the will of the people expressed through elections,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/on-dec-1-1948-after-the-triumph-of-the-revolution-which-insured-the/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [“It is essential that justice be done, it is equally vital that justice not be confused with revenge, for the two are wholly different.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/it-is-essential-that-justice-be-done-it-is-equally-vital-that-justice/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [The best way to perpetuate poverty is by spending on arms and military, and the best way to fight terrorism is by fighting the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/the-best-way-to-perpetuate-poverty-is-by-spending-on-arms-and/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and South Korea are heavily investing in nuclear arms. Since 21st century is the century of Asia, Asian countries should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/india-pakistan-china-singapore-and-south-korea-are-heavily-investing/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Peace consists, very largely, in the fact of desiring it with all one's soul. The inhabitants of my small country, Costa Rica, have realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/peace-consists-very-largely-in-the-fact-of-desiring-it-with-all-one-s/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [During my administration, our desire has been to strengthen the civilian spirit of our people. Thus, we have eliminated military ranks and salutes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/during-my-administration-our-desire-has-been-to-strengthen-the/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Our world is certainly dangerous, but it is made more dangerous, not less, by those who value profits over peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/our-world-is-certainly-dangerous-but-it-is-made-more-dangerous-not/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [It's clear to me that many weapons sales are very short-sighted. The U.S. and other arms-producing countries sell weapons for a variety of reasons,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/it-s-clear-to-me-that-many-weapons-sales-are-very-short-sighted-the-u/) [Oscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [To demilitarize the country means to make a profound decision. It is not enough to change the name of the armed forces. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/to-demilitarize-the-country-means-to-make-a-profound-decision-it-is/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [We seek in Central America not peace alone, not peace to be followed someday by political progress, but peace and democracy, together, indivisible, an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/we-seek-in-central-america-not-peace-alone-not-peace-to-be-followed/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Free trade will go a long way toward alleviating poverty in Central America. Yet trade alone is not enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/free-trade-will-go-a-long-way-toward-alleviating-poverty-in-central/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Many developing countries continue to be burdened by high percentages of their population living in poverty. Yet, instead of addressing this root cause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/many-developing-countries-continue-to-be-burdened-by-high-percentages/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [If there is no peace in Central America, it will not be because Costa Rica, and myself as president, have not done what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/if-there-is-no-peace-in-central-america-it-will-not-be-because-costa/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) > [Mine is an unarmed people, whose children have never seen a fighter or a tank or a warship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/mine-is-an-unarmed-people-whose-children-have-never-seen-a-fighter-or/) [Óscar Arias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) [Explore all 79 Oscar Arias quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/) ## More Arms quotes > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) Brian Reade > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [Preaching to the choir actually arms the choir with arguments and elevates the choir's discourse. There's a reason the right does it and does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-savage/preaching-to-the-choir-actually-arms-the-choir-with-arguments-and/) [Dan Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-savage/) > [He caught her, she fell, he caught her in his arms, he held her tightly unconscious of what he was doing. He held her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/he-caught-her-she-fell-he-caught-her-in-his-arms-he-held-her-tightly/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Are we fighting?" I asked Morelli. "No. Were discussing." "Are you sure?" "Am I yelling?" Morelli asked. "Is my face purple? Are the cords…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-evanovich/are-we-fighting-i-asked-morelli-no-were-discussing-are-you-sure-am-i/) [Janet Evanovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-evanovich/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Comerado, this is no book,Who touches this, touches a man,(Is it night? Are we here alone?)It is I you hold, and who holds you,I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/comerado-this-is-no-book-who-touches-this-touches-a-man-is-it-night/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [Even the stove and the refrigerator looked human, I mean good human - they seemed to have arms and voices and they said, hang…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/even-the-stove-and-the-refrigerator-looked-human-i-mean-good-human/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [I separated the joints, the arm joints, the leg joints, and had to do two boilings. I think I used four boxes of Soilex…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-dahmer/i-separated-the-joints-the-arm-joints-the-leg-joints-and-had-to-do/) [Jeffrey Dahmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-dahmer/) > [More courage is required to forgive than is required to take up arms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-ramos-horta/more-courage-is-required-to-forgive-than-is-required-to-take-up-arms/) [Jose Ramos-Horta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-ramos-horta/) > [It's been a long time since I asked anything of heaven, and my arms still haven't come down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-porchia/it-s-been-a-long-time-since-i-asked-anything-of-heaven-and-my-arms/) [Antonio Porchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-porchia/) > [With those who are willing to join, let us cooperate to reduce the burden of arms, to strengthen the structure of peace, to lift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/with-those-who-are-willing-to-join-let-us-cooperate-to-reduce-the/) [Richard M. 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"I'm beginning to look forward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-lindsey/another-step-had-her-backed-up-against-the-wall-and-he-braced-his/) [Johanna Lindsey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-lindsey/) Browse all 4,470 Arms quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious cycle of arms buildups, violence and poverty.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Oscar Arias" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the-two-greatest-obstacles-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arms" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the-two-greatest-obstacles-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a39/scar-arias-8677_arms_war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the_71087.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“War, and the preparation for war, are the two greatest obstacles to human progress, fostering a vicious…” — Oscar Arias", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Oscar Arias", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scar-arias/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "War, and the preparation for war,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the-two-greatest-obstacles-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scar-arias/war-and-the-preparation-for-war-are-the-two-greatest-obstacles-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```