War has been a constant presence in human history, and throughout the ages, philosophers have offered profound insights and sayings against the horrors and futility of conflict. These quotes, spanning various philosophical traditions, serve as a reminder of the wisdom that can be found in the opposition to war. Here are some notable philosophical sayings against war in English:
1. Plato (427–347 BCE)
“War is a violent and dangerous business, and it is only the most desperate of situations that would lead a man to undertake it.”
Plato’s words reflect the gravity of war and the extreme circumstances that might necessitate its occurrence.
2. Aristotle (384–322 BCE)
“War is the continuation of politics by other means.”
Aristotle’s observation highlights the connection between political decisions and the resort to war.
3. Saint Augustine (354–430 CE)
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse.”
Augustine’s perspective emphasizes the importance of moral and patriotic feeling in avoiding war.
4. Machiavelli (1469–1527)
“War is not an art of destroying life but of preserving life.”
Machiavelli’s contrasting view suggests that war should be conducted with the intention of preserving life rather than merely destroying.
5. Voltaire (1694–1778)
“War is the greatest of all crimes, because it is the only one that affects all the others.”
Voltaire’s quote underscores the far-reaching consequences of war.
6. Immanuel Kant (1724–1804)
“The state of peace is better than the state of war, for the former is the condition of the natural law, the latter is the condition of the law of nations.”
Kant’s statement emphasizes the superiority of the natural law of peace over the law of nations, which often leads to war.
7. Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948)
“Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”
Gandhi’s advocacy for non-violence as a force for change is a powerful statement against war.
8. Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
“I am firmly convinced that the only thing we have to do is to continue to plant trees, thereby making the desert into a forest.”
Einstein’s metaphorical approach suggests that peace and prosperity can be cultivated, much like a forest from a desert.
9. John F. Kennedy (1917–1963)
“Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures.”
Kennedy’s quote reflects the gradual and persistent nature of peacebuilding.
10. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968)
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”
King’s call for unity and brotherhood is a poignant reminder of the alternative to war.
These philosophical sayings against war offer a rich tapestry of thought, each reflecting a unique perspective on the nature of conflict and the possibility of peace. They serve as a testament to the enduring quest for understanding and resolution in the face of human strife.