Quote by E.B. (Elwyn Brooks) White

Americans are willing to go to enormous trouble and expense defending their principles with arms, very little trouble and expense advocating them with words. Temperamentally we are ready to die for certain principles (or, in the case of overripe adults, send youngsters to die), but we show little inclination to advertise the reasons for dying.

Americans are willing to go to enormous trouble and expense

Summary

This quote highlights the paradoxical nature of Americans' attitude towards defending their principles. It suggests that Americans are often willing to go to great lengths, both in terms of effort and resources, to protect their principles through military actions. However, when it comes to advocating for these principles through communication and dialogue, the same level of commitment is not observed. The quote further implies that Americans may be enthusiastic about sacrificing lives or sending young people to war for these principles, but they display a lack of inclination to openly discuss and promote the underlying reasons for such sacrifices.

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By E.B. (Elwyn Brooks) White

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