Quote by Bertrand Russell, Nobel Lecture,

With civilized men..., it is, I think, chiefly love of excitement which makes the populace applaud when war breaks out; the emotion is exactly the same as at a football match, although the results are sometimes somewhat more serious.

With civilized men..., it is, I think, chiefly love of excit

Summary

This quote suggests that in society, it is the love for excitement that drives people to celebrate and support wars, similar to how they cheer during a football match. Despite the potentially severe consequences of war, the emotional response from the populace is akin to the thrill experienced during a sporting event. The quote highlights the sometimes perverse fascination with conflict in civilized societies, where people's desire for excitement leads them to overlook the seriousness of war.

Topics

War

By Bertrand Russell, Nobel Lecture,

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