Available Quote by Thomas A. Edison
“I am both pleased but astonished by the fact that mankind has not yet begun to use all the means and devices that are available for destruction. I hope that such weapons are never manufactured in quantity.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address, 1915, United States patent office
The speaker is surprised that humanity has not fully exploited its destructive capabilities and hopes large‑scale production of such weapons will never occur.
In simple terms: People have many tools for destruction, yet they are underused; the speaker fears mass production.
Key Takeaway
Advocate restraint in weapon development.
Themes
war
technology
ethics
humanity
responsibility
Mood
cautious
concerned
reflective
Type
political
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- policy debates
- international negotiations
- defense budgeting
Key Concepts
Arms race
deterrence
industrial capacity
political decision‑making
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives societies to create more destructive tools?
- Can global agreements effectively limit weapon production?
A Different Perspective
Even limited weapons can cause massive harm; restraint may be unrealistic without enforcement.
