Quote by George Orwell
The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labor.
Summary
This quote suggests that the primary purpose of war is not solely to cause casualties, but rather to eradicate or damage the fruits of human efforts. It implies that war aims to disrupt and dismantle the results of human ingenuity such as buildings, infrastructure, resources, economies, and any other tangible outcomes of labor. This perspective highlights the destructive nature of conflicts, emphasizing the widespread impact they have beyond the loss of human lives. It suggests that war inflicts lasting damage by ravaging the advancements and creations that humanity has achieved over time.