"Material loss can be made up through renewed labor, but the moral wrong which has been inflicted upon the conquered peoples, in the peace dictates, leaves a burning scar on the people's conscience"
- Hjalmar Schacht
About this Quote
This quote by Hjalmar Schacht talks to the long lasting effect of war on an individuals's cumulative conscience. He suggests that while product losses can be comprised through effort, the moral wrongs caused on the conquered individuals in the peace determines leave a deep and long lasting scar. This quote speaks with the concept that war is not just a physical fight, but a mental one too. The moral wrongs inflicted on an individuals can have an enduring influence on their collective conscience, and can be hard to recover. This quote serves as a suggestion of the importance of understanding the psychological effect of war, and of pursuing peace and justice in order to avoid such moral wrongs.