“Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn’t every war fought between men, between brothers?”
- February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885
- Born in France
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels and poems such as “Les Miserables” and “Notre-Dame de Paris,” he was a representative figure of French Romantic literature and had a worldwide influence.
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Quote
“Civil war? What does that mean? Is there any foreign war? Isn’t every war fought between men, between brothers?”
Explanation
In this quote, Victor Hugo raises a profound moral question about the nature of war and its impact on humanity. He challenges the concept of civil war, a conflict fought within the boundaries of a single nation, suggesting that there is no true “foreign” war, as all wars involve human beings—brothers—fighting against one another, no matter the nation or cause. The implication is that all wars, regardless of their scale or participants, result in a betrayal of humanity itself. Whether the violence occurs between citizens of the same country or between nations, the fundamental harm is the same: human beings killing other human beings, often in the name of power, ideology, or nationalism.
Hugo’s words reflect a universalist view that sees all people as connected and, ultimately, as one human family. The distinction between “civil” and “foreign” war becomes less important in his view because the violence and suffering it causes are universal and affect all people, regardless of their nationality. It calls into question the justification for any form of war, as all wars are ultimately wars between brothers, tearing apart the fabric of humanity.
In modern terms, this quote speaks to the idea that violence in all forms—whether civil or international—is a violation of basic human dignity and a betrayal of our shared humanity. It encourages us to reflect on the futility of war, urging us to consider the cost of conflict, not just in terms of lives lost, but in the moral cost of turning human beings into enemies. The quote serves as a reminder that peace should be the ultimate goal, and that in every conflict, we are all part of the same human family, suffering the consequences together.
