“War is to man what maternity is to a woman. From a philosophical and doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe in perpetual peace.”
- July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945
- Italian
- Politician, Journalist, Dictator, Prime Minister of Italy, Founder of Fascism
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Quote
“War is to man what maternity is to a woman. From a philosophical and doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe in perpetual peace.”
Explanation
This quote expresses Mussolini’s militaristic and gendered worldview, asserting that war is an essential, even natural, expression of masculinity, just as maternity is traditionally seen as intrinsic to femininity. By likening war to childbirth, Mussolini frames violence and conflict as generative acts, necessary for the vitality and continuity of civilization. The comparison elevates war from a political tool to a biological or spiritual destiny, reinforcing fascism’s emphasis on action, struggle, and sacrifice as virtues.
The historical context for this statement is Mussolini’s broader doctrinal rejection of pacifism and his embrace of violence as a tool for national renewal. After the trauma of World War I, many in Europe turned to peace movements and disarmament. Mussolini, however, believed that peace led to decadence, and that war served to unify people, forge identity, and strengthen the state. This belief underpinned fascist policies of militarization and expansion, eventually culminating in Italy’s invasions of Ethiopia, Albania, and participation in World War II.
In the modern world, this quote is a troubling reminder of how ideology can romanticize violence, wrapping it in the language of duty, gender roles, and destiny. It also highlights the dangers of viewing conflict as inevitable or noble, rather than a political failure or humanitarian catastrophe. Contemporary authoritarian movements may echo similar rhetoric to justify military aggression or societal control, making it essential to question such deterministic and essentialist views of human nature and gender.
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