Oscar wilde Quote by Steven Pinker
““Oscar Wilde’s prophecy that “as long as war is regarded as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker, 2011
War is romanticized when seen as noble, but loses appeal when recognized as crude and destructive.
In simple terms: Seeing war as noble makes it attractive; seeing it as crude removes its allure.
Key Takeaway
Recognize war’s brutality to reduce its allure.
Themes
war
romanticism
human nature
ethics
Mood
somber
critical
Type
analytical
reflective
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media coverage
- education curricula
- peace activism
Key Concepts
psychology
media influence
historical narrative
Questions to Reflect On
- How does media shape our view of war?
- What can shift perception from glorification to condemnation?
A Different Perspective
Romanticizing war can persist despite evidence of its cruelty.
