War
Wisdom Category

War Quotes

Strategic wisdom and leadership lessons from military history

10 Curated Quotes
You can't say civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way
Will Rogers
Will Rogers
— Quoted in The Autobiography of Will Rogers

Rogers, a well-known humorist, underscores the advancements in technology and their utilization in warfare, often with devastating consequences.

Wars are not acts of God. They are caused by men
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
— Remarks to the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States

Ronald Reagan emphasizes humanity's responsibility in the initiation and perpetuation of war, advocating for human accountability and the potential for peace.

Only the dead have seen the end of war
George Santayana
George Santayana
— Many Minds: A Book of Short Stories

This quote reflects the persistent nature of human conflict, suggesting that the cycle of war and peace is a perennial aspect of human history.

What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or in the holy name of liberty or democracy?
Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi
— Non-Violence in Peace and War

Gandhi argues that the suffering caused by war remains the same, irrespective of its ideological justification, reinforcing his core principle of nonviolence.

In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons
Herodotus
Herodotus
— Histories Book 1

Herodotus provides a grim reminder of the unnatural reversal of generational roles in wartime, highlighting the tragedy and loss experienced by families.

The most successful war seldom pays for its losses
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson
— Letter to Gouverneur Morris, 1793

Jefferson's perspective implies that the cost of war often outweighs any perceived victories, questioning the rationality of pursuing conflict as a means of resolution.

In war, truth is the first casualty
Aeschylus
Aeschylus
— Eumenides

This quote from the ancient Greek tragedian emphasizes the distortion of truth during war, highlighting how information can be manipulated in times of conflict.

Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
— Address before the General Assembly of the United Nations

Kennedy's appeal serves as a warning to humanity about the destructive capabilities of modern warfare, urging collective action towards sustainable peace.

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.
George Orwell
George Orwell
— 1984

Appearing in his dystopian novel, this oxymoronic phrase reflects the manipulation and paradoxes present in politically oppressive regimes during war.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting
Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu
— The Art of War

A renowned strategist, Sun Tzu emphasizes the importance of strategy and psychological warfare over direct confrontation, making this line a quintessential nugget of military wisdom.