"Useful as a war against France, undertaken by the Government against the will of the people would be for our revolutionary development, just so dangerous must be the effect upon our democratic development of a war supported by blind popular enthusiasm"
- Ferdinand Lassalle
About this Quote
This quote by Ferdinand Lassalle is a warning against the threats of war. He is recommending that a battle taken on by the government versus the will of individuals would certainly be harmful to the cutting edge advancement of a nation. Likewise, a war sustained by blind popular enthusiasm would certainly be equally as dangerous to the autonomous development of a nation. Lassalle is warning against the prospective consequences of war, and also the relevance of considering the implications of any type of army activity. He is emphasizing the requirement for a thoughtful and determined approach to battle, rather than one based upon emotion or impulse. He is also suggesting that the people must have a say in any decision to head to battle, and that the government should not act unilaterally. Eventually, Lassalle is supporting for a much more peaceful approach to worldwide connections, as well as for individuals to be associated with any kind of choices that might cause war.