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The world will never have lasting peace so long as men reserve for war the finest human qualities. Peace, no less than war, requires idealism and self-sacrifice and a righteous and dynamic faith.
John Foster Dulles
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True peace requires the same level of dedication and virtues typically reserved for war.

John Foster Dulles suggests that achieving lasting peace demands qualities such as idealism, self-sacrifice, and unwavering faith—qualities often associated with warfare. He argues that if humans continue to reserve their noblest attributes for conflict, true and enduring peace will remain elusive. It implies that peace is not merely the absence of war, but an active pursuit that involves commitment and moral strength.

Themes

PeaceWarIdealismSelf-SacrificeFaith

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a speech advocating for peace initiatives in schools.

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Quote by John Foster Dulles | QuoteProject