"One to destroy, is murder by the law; and gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe; to murder thousands, takes a specious name, 'War's glorious art', and gives immortal fame"
- Edward Young
About this Quote
This quote by Edward Young is a commentary on the hypocrisy of war. He is saying that while someone killing another is considered murder and is punishable by law, when a country kills thousands of individuals in war, it is glorified and provided a "specious name" such as "War's marvelous art". He is explaining the double requirement that exists between individual and state-sanctioned violence. He is likewise recommending that the fear of punishment, such as being hanged, keeps people from dedicating murder, however when a country fights, it is seen as heroic and is rewarded with "immortal fame". This quote is a reminder that war is not a marvelous thing, but rather a tragedy that needs to be prevented whenever possible.
This quote is written / told by Edward Young between June 1, 1681 and April 5, 1765. He was a famous Poet from England.
The author also have 40 other quotes.
"The head of the CIA, it seems to me, would think long and hard before he admitted that former employees of his had been involved in the murder of the President of the United States-even if they weren't acting on behalf of the Agency when they did it"
"It's frightening how easy it is to commit murder in America. Just a drink too much. I can see myself doing it. In England, one feels all the social restraints holding one back. But here, anything can happen"
