Competition in armament, both land and naval, is not only a terrible burden upon the people, but I believe it to be one of the greatest menaces to the peace of the world.
Frank B. KelloggRead
It is idle to say that nations can struggle to outdo each other in building armaments and never use them. History demonstrates the contrary, and we have but to go back to the last war to see the appalling effect of nations competing in great armaments.
Interpretation
Competing in arms leads to inevitable conflict and suffering.
This quote highlights the futility of nations striving to surpass one another in military armament without intending to use them. It reflects on historical lessons, emphasizing that such competition ultimately leads to war and devastation, as seen in past conflicts. The quote serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of militarization and the importance of peace over aggression.
In practice
In a speech about disarmament during a conference on international relations.
Competition in armament, both land and naval, is not only a terrible burden upon the people, but I believe it to be one of the greatest menaces to the peace of the world.
We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don't care for.
You know, that might be the answer - to act boastfully about something we ought to be ashamed of. That's a trick that never seems to fail.
If a man could understand all the horror of the lives of ordinary people who are turning around in a circle of insignificant interests and insignificant aims, if he could understand what they are losing, he would understand that there can only be one thing that is serious for him - to escape from the general law, to be free. What can be serious for a man in prison who is condemned to death? Only one thing: How to save himself, how to escape: nothing else is serious.
If religion has given birth to all that is essential in society, it is because the idea of society is the soul of religion.
There is something precious in our being mysteries to ourselves, in our being unable ever to see through even the person who is closest to our heart and to reckon with him as though he were a logical proposition or a problem in accounting.
The world begins anew with every birth, my father used to say. He forgot to say, with every death it ends. Or did not think he needed to. Because for a goodly part of his life he worked in a graveyard.
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