Our brave young men are dying in the swamps of Southeast Asia. Which of them might have written a poem? Which of them might have cured cancer? Which of them might have played in a World Series or given us the gift of laughter from the stage or helped build a bridge or a university? Which of them would have taught a child to read? It is our responsibility to let these men live....It is indecent if they die because of the empty vanity of their country. (Vietnam War speech, Calif, 3-24-68)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- War wastes human potential and sacrifices lives for vanity.
- In plain terms
- War kills people who could have done great good.
- What can you take from it?
- Avoid war to preserve human talent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is any war justified?
- How do we value lives?
Another view
Pacifism may not address cases of necessary defense.
More from Robert Kennedy
Our attitude toward immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise…
Permalink to quote #56 Our gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the bea…
Permalink to quote #58 One-fifth of the people are against everything all the time.
Permalink to quote #55
Related quotes
In a wood they call the Rouge Bouquet, There is a new-made grave today, Built by never a spade nor pick, Yet covered with earth ten meteres thick. There lie ma…
Joyce KilmerJoyce Kilmer quote #2 In there. The words hit me hard. In there was my best friend lying on the floor dead. The body. Now I could call it that. Yesterday it was Jack Williams, the g…
Mickey SpillaneMickey Spillane quote #2 'Open your eyes, Clevinger. It doesn't make a damned bit of difference who wins the war to someone who's dead.'
Joseph HellerJoseph Heller quote #5