As is true with respect to other great evils, the measures by which war might be made altogether impossible for the future may well be worse than even war itself. If we can reduce the risk of friction likely to lead to war, this is probably all we can reasonably hope to achieve.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Measures to make war impossible might be worse than war itself.
- In plain terms
- Trying to ban war completely could cause more harm than war.
- What can you take from it?
- Reduce war risks pragmatically rather than seeking impossible utopias.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is perfect peace worth high costs?
- What is a realistic goal for peace?
Another view
Some absolute prohibitions might prevent necessary conflicts or justice.
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