“Anyone who thinks must think of the next war as they would of suicide.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“Anyone who thinks must think of the next war as they would of suicide.”
Explanation
In this stark and powerful quote, Eleanor Roosevelt equates the idea of future war with self-destruction, declaring that any thoughtful person must recognize war as a form of collective suicide. This is especially poignant given the context of the 20th century, during which Roosevelt lived through two world wars and the onset of the nuclear age. Her words reflect the belief that war is no longer merely a tragic necessity—it is an existential threat.
Roosevelt, who was deeply involved in global diplomacy after World War II, particularly through her work with the United Nations, saw firsthand the catastrophic human and moral cost of conflict. This quote is a plea for rational reflection, diplomacy, and preventative action. It underscores her conviction that modern warfare, with its capacity for mass destruction, endangers not just enemies but all of humanity.
Today, in an era of geopolitical tension and advanced weaponry, this quote remains urgent. It calls upon leaders, citizens, and thinkers alike to treat war not as policy, but as catastrophe, and to pursue peace not as idealism, but as survival. Roosevelt’s warning remains a sobering reminder that to choose war knowingly is to choose self-destruction.
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