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Smedley Butler Quotes

Author

Smedley Butler was an American author, social activist, and military officer, known for his anti-war stance and his works that exposed American imperialism.

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All Racket War Antiwar Marine Profit Anti War Peace Soldier Three Age Cities Dark Dark Ages Dollars Ifs Interest Marine Corps Medical Military Oil

Famous Smedley Butler Quotes

“I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag.”

Ifs Believe War America Fighting I Believe Nations Trouble Percent Dollars Soldier I Believe In Defense Flags Antiwar Restless Adequate Coastline

Author:Smedley Butler

“There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights.”

Should Two War Home Fighting Peace Rights Bills Defense Two Things Anti War Antiwar Bill Of Rights Racket

Author:Smedley Butler

“War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.”

War Peace Loss Dollars International Profit Anti War Antiwar Scope Racket Military Industrial Complex Cost Of War

Book:War is a Racket!: And Other Essential Reading

Source: War is a Racket!: And Other Essential Reading

“My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service.”

War Order Peace Military Higher Nationalism Faculty Anti War Antiwar Typical Animation Suspended Racket Military Service Original Thought

Author:Smedley Butler

“War is just a racket... I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else.”

Believe War I Believe Peace I Believe In Defense Anti War Antiwar Adequate Racket Coastline

Author:Smedley Butler

“War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of people. Only a small inside group knows what it is about. It is conducted for the benefit of the very few at the expense of the masses.”

People Knows Believe War Seems I Believe Groups Benefits Mass Majority Expenses Antiwar Racket

Author:Smedley Butler

“War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious.”

Has Beens War Peace Anti War Antiwar Vicious Profitable Racket

Book:War is a Racket!: And Other Essential Reading

Source: War is a Racket!: And Other Essential Reading

“War Is A Racket : I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thought until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher- ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service”

War Order Left Military Higher Members Originals Profession Faculty Antiwar Typical Animation Suspended Racket Military Service Original Thought

Author:Smedley Butler

About the Author

Born: July 30, 1881
Died: June 21, 1940
Known for: Author
Quotes: 33

Books & Sources

War is a Racket!: And Other Essential ReadingRelated source material

War Is a Racket: The Antiwar Classic by America's Most Decorated SoldierRelated source material

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