WIST Quotations

Gide, André -- Journal (10 Feb 1943) [tr. O’Brien (1951)]

Dave — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 12:58:33 +0000

It is essential to persuade the soldier that those he is being urged to massacre are bandits who do not deserve to live; before killing other good, decent fellows like himself, his gun would fall from his hands.

André Gide (1869-1951) French author, Nobel laureate
Journal (10 Feb 1943) [tr. O’Brien (1951)]

James, William -- “The Moral Equivalent of War” (1906)

Dave — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:53:57 +0000

At the present day, civilized opinion is a curious mental mixture. The military instincts and ideals are as strong as ever, but they are confronted by reflective criticisms which sorely curb their ancient freedom. Innumerable writers are showing up the bestial side of military service. Pure loot and mastery seem no longer morally allowable motives, and pretexts must be found for attributing them solely to the enemy.

William James (1842-1910) American psychologist and philosopher
“The Moral Equivalent of War” (1906)
(Source)

Tacitus -- Agricola, ch. 42 (AD 98)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

It is human nature to hate the man whom you have to hurt.

[Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem laeseris.]

Tacitus (c.56-c.120) Roman historian, orator, politician [Publius or Gaius Cornelius Tacitus]
Agricola, ch. 42 (AD 98)
(Source)

Alt trans: "It belongs to human nature to hate those you have injured."