War is mankind's most tragic and stupid folly; to seek or advise its deliberate provocation is a black crime against all men.
Interpretation
War is a foolish and tragic mistake that harms humanity, and promoting it is a serious moral crime.
In this quote, Eisenhower emphasizes the futility and devastation of war, portraying it as a regrettable human folly. He argues that deliberately instigating conflict is not only senseless but also morally reprehensible, as it brings suffering to all humanity. This statement reflects a deeper philosophical stance on the value of human life and the ethical implications of seeking violence as a solution to disputes.
In practice
Using this quote in a speech about peace and conflict resolution.
If a man's associates find him guilty of being phony, if they find that he lacks forthright integrity, he will fail. His teachings and actions must square with each other. The first great need, therefore, is integrity and high purpose.
The libraries of America are and must ever remain the home of free and inquiring minds. To them, our citizens-of all ages and races, of all creeds and persuasions-must be able to turn with clear confidence that there they can freely seek the whole truth, unvarnished by fashion and uncompromised by expediency.
You don't lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust.
Some years ago I became president of Columbia University and learned within 24 hours to be ready to speak at the drop of a hat, and I learned something more, the trustees were expected to be ready to speak at the passing of the hat.
I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.
It is very difficult to explain this feeling to anyone who is entirely without it, especially as there is no anthropomorphic conception of God corresponding to it. The individual feels the nothingness of human desires and aims and the sublimity and marvelous order which reveal themselves both in Nature and in the world of though. He looks upon individual existence as a sort of prison and wants to experience the universe as a single significant whole.
As far as your personal requirements are concerned, the ideal is to _x000D_ have fewer involvements, fewer obligations, and fewer affairs, _x000D_ business or whatever. However, so far as the interest of the larger _x000D_ community is concerned, you must have as many involvements as _x000D_ possible and as many activities as possible.
Wherever we go, wherever we remain, the results of our actions follow us.
As hypocrisy is said to be the highest compliment to virtue, the art of lying is the strongest acknowledgment of the force of truth.
It was at that moment he realized that his spirit was truly human once more. For he no longer remembered how to be alone without being lonely.
So far is it from being true that men are naturally equal, that no two people can be half an hour together, but one shall acquire an evident superiority over the other.
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