"Even a pacifist should admire the military virtues"
- John Keegan
About this Quote
This quote by John Keegan recommends that even those who are opposed to war and violence can still appreciate the values and qualities that the military upholds. These values include nerve, discipline, commitment, and self-sacrifice. The armed force is typically viewed as a sign of strength and honor, and these values are necessary for any effective organization. Even those who are opposed to war and violence can still recognize the value of these worths and the positive impact they can have on society. By admiring the military virtues, pacifists can still lionize for the military and its members, while still maintaining their own beliefs. Eventually, this quote motivates us to recognize the importance of the military virtues, even if we do not agree with using violence.
"After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. I sure as hell wouldn't want to live in a society where the only people allowed guns are the police and the military"
"We shall listen, not lecture; learn, not threaten. We will enhance our safety by earning the respect of others and showing respect for them. In short, our foreign policy will rest on the traditional American values of restraint and empathy, not on military might"
"Of course, there is no question that Libya - and the world - will be better off with Gaddafi out of power. I, along with many other world leaders, have embraced that goal, and will actively pursue it through non-military means. But broadening our military mission to include regime change would be a mistake"
"Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war on terrorism have reduced the pace of military transformation and have revealed our lack of preparation for defensive and stability operations. This Administration has overextended our military"
"Also a great part of Polish industry proved to have existed only to support the Soviet military industry, and it became superfluous and incapable of being transformed into anything else. We did not foresee that or the magnitude of these phenomena"
"In view of China's growing military strength and intentions, the best way to safeguard Asia's permanent peace and prosperity is to have all Asian countries join forces with other democratic countries in the world to form a global community of democracies"