Coriolanus Quote by William Shakespeare
““Let me have war, say I: it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spritely, waking, audible, and full of vent. Peace is a very apoplexy, lethargy; mulled, deaf, sleepy, insensible; a getter of more bastard children than war's a destroyer of men.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3, 1599
War is portrayed as lively and invigorating, while peace is depicted as stagnant and harmful, suggesting a paradoxical view of conflict.
In simple terms: War feels alive; peace feels dull and harmful.
Key Takeaway
Question the romanticization of conflict.
Themes
war
peace
paradox
human nature
energy
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military history lessons
- peace studies seminars
- creative writing
- public debates
- artistic interpretations
Key Concepts
philosophical conflict
psychological states
cultural narratives
Questions to Reflect On
- Why might people find war more exciting than peace?
- How can societies value peace without it seeming inert?
A Different Perspective
Romanticizing war can ignore its devastation.
