“It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do.”
- July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945
- Italian
- Politician, Journalist, Dictator, Prime Minister of Italy, Founder of Fascism
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Quote
“It is humiliating to remain with our hands folded while others write history. It matters little who wins. To make a people great it is necessary to send them to battle even if you have to kick them in the pants. That is what I shall do.”
Explanation
This quote reveals Mussolini’s aggressive and unapologetic belief in war as a vehicle for national greatness, regardless of the outcome. By stating that “it matters little who wins,” he prioritizes the act of participation in conflict over victory itself, suggesting that greatness comes from action, sacrifice, and struggle, not from peace or passivity. The image of “kicking them in the pants” shows his willingness to coerce the population into war, reinforcing fascism’s reliance on force, compulsion, and top-down leadership.
The historical context of this quote likely relates to Mussolini’s decision to enter World War II, a move made despite Italy’s limited preparedness. He feared that remaining on the sidelines would render Italy irrelevant, excluded from the postwar reordering of the world. Fascism viewed history not as a process of dialogue or diplomacy, but as a battlefield where nations assert their will through violence and heroism. Mussolini saw himself as the one to forcefully awaken a passive nation, driving it into history through war.
In the modern era, this quote stands as a dangerous example of how nationalist leaders may glorify war and manipulate patriotic sentiment to justify reckless policies. It reflects a worldview where war is seen not as a last resort but as a rite of renewal, and where public reluctance is treated as cowardice. This mindset often leads to human suffering, international instability, and internal repression, all in the name of imagined national greatness. Understanding this logic is essential for resisting political rhetoric that romanticizes war and devalues peace.
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