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If the War Goes on: Reflections on War and Politics

Book by Hermann Hesse · 3 quotes · Humanity, Fear, Individualism

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If the War Goes on: Reflections on War and Politics Quotes

“Be that as it may, one opinion that has often been expressed in the course of the war is absolutely mistaken: the opinion that, through its sheer magnitude and the gigantic mechanism of horror it set in motion, this war would frighten future generations out of ever making war again. Fear teaches men nothing. If men enjoy killing, no memory of war will deter them. Nor will the knowledge of the material damage wrought by war. Only in infinitesimal degree do men's actions spring from rational considerations. One can be thoroughly convinced that an action is absurd and still delight in it. Every passionate man does just that.”

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Book:If the War Goes on: Reflections on War and Politics
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“In respect to mankind we all of us have but one task. To help mankind as a whole make some small advance, to better a particular institution, to do away with one particular mode of killing - all these are commendable, but they are not my task and yours. Our task as men is this: in our own unique personal lives, to take a short step on the road from animal to man.”

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Book:If the War Goes on: Reflections on War and Politics
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