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Quotes about war and peace

540 quotes from 231 people

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Patriots always talk of dying for their country, and never of killing for their country.
Bertrand Russell1872–1970Has Man a Future? (1962), p. 78
- Patriotism
We are speaking on this occasion, not as members of this or that nation, continent, or creed, but as human beings, members of the species Man, whose continued existence is in doubt.
Bertrand Russell1872–1970The Russell-Einstein Manifesto (1955)
Might a bomb no bigger than an orange be found to possess a secret power to destroy a whole block of buildings — nay to concentrate the force of a thousand tons of cordite and blast a township at a stroke?
Winston Churchill1874–1965Pall Mall Gazette (1924) on HG Wells’ suggestion of an atomic bomb, in “BBC Article”
I was against it on two counts. First, the Japanese were ready to surrender, and it wasn’t necessary to hit them with that awful thing. Second, I hated to see our country be the first to use such a weapon.
Dwight D. Eisenhower1890–1969On his stated opposition to the use of the atomic bomb against the Japanese at the end of World War II, as quoted in Newsweek (11 November 1963), p. 107
When the Judgment Day comes civilization will have an alibi, “I never took a human life, I only sold the fellow the gun to take it with.”
Will Rogers1879–1935Daily Telegram #926, A General Digging Out Of Old War Contracts (15 July 1929)
- Guns
It is said that God is always on the side of the big battalions.
Voltaire1694–1778Letter to François-Louis-Henri Leriche (6 February 1770)
- God
France has lost a battle, but France has not lost the war.
Charles de Gaulle1890–1970Poster À tous les Français (To All Frenchmen), 3 August 1940.
The god of war has gone over to the other side.
Adolf Hitler1889–1945Statement to Alfred Jodl, after losses in the Battle of Stalingrad, as quoted in The Second World War: An Illustrated History (1979) by A. J. P. Taylor
All violence consists in some people forcing others, under threat of suffering or death, to do what they do not want to do.
Leo Tolstoy1828–1910The Law of Love and the Law of Violence (1908)
- Power
Wherever there’s injustice, oppression, and suffering, America will show up six months late and bomb the country next to where it’s happening.
POP. J. O'Rourke1947–2022Peace Kills: America’s Fun New Imperialism (2004)
- America
Among the calamities of war may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by the falsehoods which interest dictates and credulity encourages.
Samuel Johnson1709–1784The Idler (1758–1760), No. 30 (11 November 1758)
- Truth & Lies
To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed.
George W. Bushborn 1946Invasion of Iraq (March 2003)
- America
War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.
John F. Kennedy1917–1963Undated Letter to a Navy friend
While we shall never weary in the defense of freedom, neither shall we ever abandon the pursuit of peace.
John F. Kennedy1917–1963Third State of the Union Address
- Freedom
Disarmament without checks is but a shadow — and a community without law is but a shell.
John F. Kennedy1917–1963UN speech
- Laws