Civilized Quote by Thor Heyerdahl
“A civilized nation can have no enemies, and one cannot draw a line across a map, a line that doesn't even exist in nature and say that the ugly enemy lives on the one side, and good friends live on the other.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: UNESCO Conference, 1973
He argues that enemies are constructs, not natural, and that nations should avoid dividing lines.
In simple terms: Enemies are human‑made, not natural.
Key Takeaway
Promote unity beyond artificial borders.
Themes
peace
nationalism
humanity
Mood
optimistic
reflective
Type
philosophical
activist
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- education
- media campaigns
Key Concepts
political science
anthropology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies move beyond imagined enemies?
- What practical steps foster shared humanity?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate real geopolitical tensions.
![“The War is not don so long as my Enemy lives. [The war is not done so long as my enemy lives.]” quote by George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d8b/george-herbert-107_done_the-war-is-not-don-so-long-as-my-enemy-l_2229635.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
