Playing the game I have learned the meaning of humility. It has given me an understanding of futility of the human effort.
Abba EbanRead
I think that this is the first war in history that on the morrow the victors sued for peace and the vanquished called for unconditional surrender.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the unusual nature of a war where the victors sought peace while the defeated demanded total surrender.
Abba Eban's quote reflects on a historical paradox during a specific conflict where the prevailing side, rather than celebrating their victory with aggression, sought a peaceful resolution. Conversely, those who were defeated requested unconditional surrender, which turns the usual narrative of war on its head, suggesting a deeper complexity to the motivations and circumstances surrounding the outcomes of conflict.
Themes
WarPeaceSurrenderVictoryHistory
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about historical conflicts, this quote could illustrate how even winners might seek peace.
More from Abba Eban
All quotes βTragedy is not what men suffer but what they miss.
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Nobody does Israel any service by proclaiming its 'right to exist.' Israel's right to exist, like that of the United States, Saudi Arabia and 152 other states, is axiomatic and unreserved. Israel's legitimacy is not suspended in midair awaiting acknowledgement.... There is certainly no other state, big or small, young or old, that would consider mere recognition of its 'right to exist' a favor, or a negotiable concession.
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A nation writes its history in the image of its ideal.
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It is our experience that political leaders do not always mean the opposite of what they say.
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A statesman who keeps his ear permanently glued to the ground will have neither elegance of posture nor flexibility of movement.
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