---
title: "Let us turn now to the most elementary principle of just war theory, … — Noam Chomsky Quote #107 | QuotesBy.net"
description: "Let us turn now to the most elementary principle of just war theory, universality. Those who cannot accept this principle should have the decency to … — a quote by Noam Chomsky."
image: "https://quotesby.net/wp-content/themes/quotesby-editorial/assets/og-default.png"
---

> # Let us turn now to the most elementary principle of just war theory, universality. Those who cannot accept this principle should have the decency to keep silent about matters of right and wrong, or just war. If we can rise to this level, some obvious questions arise: for example, have Cuba and Nicaragua been entitled to set off bombs in Washington, New York, and Miami in self-defense against ongoing terrorist attack? Particularly so when the perpetrators are well known and act with complete impunity, sometimes in brazen defiance of the highest international authorities, so that the cases are far clearer than Afghanistan? If not, why not?

[Noam Chomsky](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky)\#107

[War](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/war/)[Ethics](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/ethics/)[Morality](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/morality/)[Justice](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/justice/)[Universality](https://quotesby.net/topics/universality/)

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## About this quote

What does it mean?Just war principles should apply equally to all nations.In plain termsRules of war must work for everyone equally.What can you take from it?Apply ethical standards consistently across nations.

### Where it applies

- international law
- conflict resolution
- ethics debates

### Putting it to work

- apply consistent ethical standards
- examine double standards
- evaluate international justice

### Questions to consider

- How can war ethics be applied universally?
- What prevents consistent application of justice?

### Another view

The argument assumes symmetrical capabilities between nations.

## More from Noam Chomsky

1. > What will happen we don't know, but plans are being made and programs implemented on the assumption that they may lead to the death of several million people i…

[Permalink to quote \#106](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/106/ "Permalink to quote 106")
2. > We certainly shouldn't trust to deal with \[Saddam Hussein\] anyone who supported him through his worst crimes, that's insane.

[Permalink to quote \#108](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/108/ "Permalink to quote 108")
3. > Wanton killing of innocent civilians is terrorism, not a war against terrorism.

[Permalink to quote \#105](https://quotesby.net/Noam-Chomsky/105/ "Permalink to quote 105")

## Related quotes

1. > Aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease.

[Jimmy Carter](https://quotesby.net/Jimmy-Carter)[Jimmy Carter quote \#2](https://quotesby.net/Jimmy-Carter/2/ "Permalink to quote 2")
2. > Even those who are fed up with morality ought to realize that it is better to suffer certain injustices than to commit them even in wars, and that such deeds d…

[Albert Camus](https://quotesby.net/Albert-Camus)[Albert Camus quote \#124](https://quotesby.net/Albert-Camus/124/ "Permalink to quote 124")
3. > 'I renounce war for its consequences, for the lies it lives on and propagates, for the undying hatred it arouses, for the dictatorships it puts in place of dem…

[Harry Emerson Fosdick](https://quotesby.net/Harry-Emerson-Fosdick)[Harry Emerson Fosdick quote \#1](https://quotesby.net/Harry-Emerson-Fosdick/1/ "Permalink to quote 1")

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