Let who will boast their courage in the field,
I find but little safety from my shield,
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Let who will boast their courage in the field,
I find but little safety from my shield,
Nature's, not honour's law we must obey:
This made me cast my useless shield away.

'What war?' said the Prime Minister sharply. 'No one has said anything to me about a war. I really think read more

'What war?' said the Prime Minister sharply. 'No one has said anything to me about a war. I really think I should have been told. I'll be damned,' he said defiantly, 'if they shall have a war without consulting me. What's a cabinet for, if there's not more mutual confidence than that? What do they want a war for anyway?'

War is not merely a political act but a real political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, a carrying out read more

War is not merely a political act but a real political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, a carrying out of the same by other means.

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That read more

Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

I couldn't help but say to [Mr. Gorbachev], just think how easy his task and mine might be in these read more

I couldn't help but say to [Mr. Gorbachev], just think how easy his task and mine might be in these meetings that we held if suddenly there was a threat to this world from another planet. [We'd] find out once and for all that we really are all human beings here on this earth together.

The history of those who shed those other tears, the history of those anonymous millions, is what Terkel wants readers read more

The history of those who shed those other tears, the history of those anonymous millions, is what Terkel wants readers and listeners to come away with. What's it like to be that goofy little soldier, scared stiff, with his bayonet aimed at Christ? What's it like to have been a woman in a defense-plant job during World War II? What's it like to be a kid at the front lines? It's all funny and tragic at the same time.

I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people.

I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people.

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with read more

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.

War grows out of the desire of the individual to gain advantage at the expense of his fellow man.

War grows out of the desire of the individual to gain advantage at the expense of his fellow man.