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Quotes about war and peace

540 quotes from 231 people

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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
In all history there is no war which was not hatched by the governments, the governments alone, independent of the interests of the people, to whom war is always pernicious even when successful.
Leo Tolstoy1828–1910Christianity and Patriotism (1895), as translated in The Novels and Other Works of Lyof N. Tolstoï, Vol. 20, p. 44
- Government
In war, where both success and failure are repaid by death, hostile agents who penetrate into the rear are subject to execution. This is inhuman, but no one ever considered war a school of humanity.
Leon Trotsky1879–1940Terrorism and Communism (1920), Ch. 4: Terrorism
Carry the battle to them. Don’t let them bring it to you. Put them on the defensive. And don’t ever apologize for anything.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972
I would rather have peace in the world than be President.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972
- Presidency
If wars in the future are to be prevented the nations must be united in their determination to keep the peace under law.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972Address to Congress (April 16, 1945)
If they do not now accept our terms they may expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972Announcing the Bombing of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945)
Sixteen hours ago an American airplane dropped one bomb on Hiroshima and destroyed its usefulness to the enemy.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972Announcing the Bombing of Hiroshima (August 6, 1945)
We must be prepared to pay the price for peace, or assuredly we shall pay the price of war.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972Special Message to the Congress on the Threat to the Freedom of Europe (March 17, 1948)
Any man who sees Europe now must realize that victory in a great war is not something you win once and for all, like victory in a ball game. Victory in a great war is something that must be won and kept won.
Harry S. Truman1884–1972Report on the Potsdam Conference (August 9, 1945)
The pitifulest thing out is a mob; that’s what an army is⁠—a mob; they don’t fight with courage that’s born in them, but with courage that’s borrowed from their mass, and from their officers. But a mob without any man at the head of it is beneath pitifulness.
Mark Twain1835–1910Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1884), Chapter XXIIIn context
- Courage
All war is deception.
Sun Tzu544–496 BC
This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War
Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter XI · The Nine Battlegrounds
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.
Sun Tzu544–496 BCThe Art of War, Chapter III · Strategic Attack