Only The Dead See The End Of War Quote
“Only the dead see the end of war” is a famous quote that has been attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato. This quote has been used extensively in literature, films, and other forms of media to convey the futility of war and the human cost of conflict.
Origins of the Quote
The origins of this quote can be traced back to the writings of Plato, specifically his dialogue titled “The Republic”. In this dialogue, one of the characters, Glaucon, asks Socrates about the nature and effects of justice. Socrates responds with a story about a soldier named Leontius who is torn between his desire to look at the corpses of some criminals and his revulsion at the sight. Socrates concludes the story by saying:
“What they said was true, that only the dead are at the end of war; the forgotten freedom and the forgotten happiness of the fallen.”
It is believed that this is the origin of the quote, although there is some debate among scholars about whether Plato actually said these words or if they were added later.
Meaning of the Quote
The quote “only the dead see the end of war” is a powerful statement about the nature of war and its lasting impact on those who survive it. It suggests that war is an endless cycle of violence and destruction that can only be truly understood by those who have died as a result of it.
At the same time, the quote also speaks to the idea that war has a lasting impact on the living. Those who survive war may be physically unharmed, but they carry the emotional and psychological scars with them for the rest of their lives.
Use of the Quote in Popular Culture
The quote “only the dead see the end of war” has been used extensively in popular culture to convey the horrors of war and the human cost of conflict. It has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and books, including:
- Oliver Stone’s film “Platoon”
- Stephen King’s novel “The Dark Tower”
- The TV series “The Wire”
In each of these works, the quote is used to underscore the idea that war is a never-ending cycle of violence and that the true cost of conflict is paid by those who do not survive it.
Conclusion
The quote “only the dead see the end of war” is a powerful statement about the nature of war and its lasting impact on those who survive it. It speaks to the idea that war is a never-ending cycle of violence and that its true cost is paid by those who do not survive it.
Despite its origins in ancient Greek philosophy, this quote remains relevant today as we continue to grapple with the human cost of war and the need to find peaceful solutions to conflict.