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Quote by Randolph Bourne

Work

The world of Randolph Bourne: an anthology edited

This book is a curated selection of essays, articles, and other writings by Randolph Bourne, alongside critical analyses and commentary by various scholars. It provides insight into Bourne's intellectual contributions, his analysis of contemporary issues, and his enduring impact on American intellectual history. more

Author

Randolph Bourne
Randolph Bourne

Randolph Bourne was an American writer known for his profound insights into cultural, social, and philosophical issues. His work covered a wide range of topics, including imperialism, war, individualism, and democracy. Bourne's writing style was distinctive, often characterized by sharp criticism and deep analysis. more

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“War seems to me to be a mean, contemptible thing: I would rather be hacked in pieces than take part in such an abominable business. And yet so high, in spite of everything, is my opinion of the human race that I believe this bogey would have disappeared long ago, had the sound sense of the nations not been systematically corrupted by commercial and political interests acting through the schools and the Press”

“The fact is that every war suffers a kind of progressive degradation with every month that it continues, because such things as individual liberty and a truthful press are simply not compatible with military efficiency.”

“The point of public relations slogans like "Support Our Troops" is that they don't mean anything ... that's the whole point of good propaganda. You want to create a slogan that nobody is going to be against and I suppose everybody will be for, because nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything. But its crucial value is that it diverts your attention from a question that does mean something, do you support our policy? And that's the one you're not allowed to talk about.”

“The so-called Christian virtues of humility, love, charity, personal freedom, the strong prohibitions against violence, murder, stealing, lying, cruelty-all these are washed away by war. The greatest hero is the one who kills the most people. Glamorous exploits in successful lying and mass stealing and heroic vengeance are rewarded with decorations and public acclaim.”

“Until we go through it ourselves, until our people cower in the shelters of New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles and elsewhere while the buildings collapse overhead and burst into flames, and dead bodies hurtle about and, when it is over for the day or the night, emerge in the rubble to find some of their dear ones mangled, their homes gone, their hospitals, churches, schools demolished - only after that gruesome experience will we realize what we are inflicting on the people of Indochina.”