Babe Quote by Stephen Crane
“Do not weep, maiden, for war is kind. Because your lover threw wild hands toward the sky And the affrighted steed ran on alone, Do not weep. War is kind. Hoarse, booming drums of the regiment, Little souls who thirst for fight, These men were born to drill and die. The unexplained glory flies above them, Great is the battle-god, great, and his kingdom -A field where a thousand corpses lie. Do not weep, babe, for war is kind.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “War is Kind,” 1899
War is glorified as noble, but it brings death and suffering; the poem’s irony exposes this false heroism.
In simple terms: War is falsely praised.
Key Takeaway
Question the glorification of war.
Themes
war
irony
heroism
death
Mood
somber
critical
Type
poetic
anti‑war
When to use this quote
- military recruitment
- historical education
- peace activism
- media portrayal
Key Concepts
literary criticism
anti‑war sentiment
Questions to Reflect On
- What does “war is kind” reveal about society’s values?
- How can we honor sacrifice without glorifying conflict?
A Different Perspective
Patriotic narratives can inspire genuine courage.
