Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
War forces societies to innovate, because without victory a civilization may vanish.
In plain terms
Conflict drives technological and cultural breakthroughs.
What can you take from it?
Pressure from war accelerates invention.

Where it applies

  • historical analysis
  • technology policy

Putting it to work

  • invest in R&D during crises
  • study wartime inventions

Questions to consider

  • Is innovation worth the cost of war?
  • Can peace foster similar breakthroughs?

Another view

War also causes massive loss and ethical harm.

More from Orson Scott Card

  1. I am your enemy, the first one you've ever had who was smarter than you. There is no teacher but the enemy. No one but the enemy will ever tell you what the en…

    Permalink to quote #1093
  2. The great irony of war is this: While war is the ultimate expression of mistrust, it cannot be waged without absolute trust. A soldier trusts his comrades to s…

    Permalink to quote #1095
  3. You can't defeat a powerful enemy unless you understand him completely, and you can't understand him unless you know the desires of his heart, and you can't kn…

    Permalink to quote #1092

Related quotes

  1. The combination of modern ordnance and outdated tactics had, as ever, created enormous casualties on both sides.

    Iain BanksIain Banks quote #1
  2. 'There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.'

    Ken OlsenKen Olsen quote #1
  3. Mr. Watson - Come here - I want to see you.

    Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell quote #1