Reflective Quotes on War, Peace, and Freedom

Here's a collection of meaningful quotes about soldiers, peace, and freedom. Through these quotes, we honor the sacrifices made by our soldiers and reaffirm our commitment to pursuing peace in the face of adversity.

⊙The Scars of War and the Value of Peace: Quotes from Soldiers

In times of conflict and turmoil, soldiers stand on the front lines, bearing the weight of duty, sacrifice, and a longing for peace. Here are some quotes that reflect the harsh realities of war, the moral dilemmas soldiers face, and their deepest yearnings for peace and freedom. These quotes emphasize both the devastation of war and the importance of peace, while also expressing gratitude for the sacrifices and dedication soldiers make for their country and loved ones. More than anyone else, a soldier desires peace over war. We honor them for their service and commitment.

• "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war." - Douglas MacArthur

• "Every soldier thinks something of the moral aspects of what he is doing. But all war is immoral and if you let that bother you, you’re not a good soldier." - Curtis LeMay

• "Soldiers willingly, sometimes foolishly, risk their own lives to keep their comrades out of enemy hands." - Alex Berenson

• "Soldiers are dreamers; when the guns begin they think of firelit homes, clean beds, and wives." - Siegfried Sassoon

• "Soldiers are men…most apt for all manner of services and best able to support and endure the infinite toils and continual hazards of war." - Henry Knyvett

• "The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue." - Napoleon Bonaparte

• "A professional soldier understands that war means killing people, war means maiming people, war means families left without fathers and mothers." - Norman Schwarzkopf

• "Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace." - Ulysses S. Grant

• "There is no one who loves peace more than a soldier." - Philippa Gregory

• "No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation." - Douglas MacArthur

• "I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

• "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." - G.K. Chesterton

• "We must never forget why we have and why we need our military. Our armed forces exist solely to ensure our nation is safe, so that each and every one of us can sleep soundly at night, knowing we have ‘guardians at the gate.’" - Allen West

• "Soldiers have many faults, but they have one redeeming merit; they are never worshippers of force. Soldiers more than any other men are taught severely and systematically that might is not right." - G. K. Chesterton

• "The veterans of our military services have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms that we enjoy. They have dedicated their lives to their country and deserve to be recognized for their commitment." - Judd Gregg

• "There was never a good war or a bad peace." - Ben Franklin 

• "No one hates war like a soldier hates war." - Tommy Franks

• "A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom." - Bob Dylan

• "A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself." - Joseph Campbell

• "We, Veteran’s for Peace, view peace as a positively active and creative process which requires courage, commitment, endurance, vigilance, and integrity. Peace is a struggle toward unity, and it is characterized by an absence of violence in all its forms, including discrimination based on gender, age, race, religion, social and economic status, ethnicity, and sexual orientation. Those who labor for peace are called peacemakers because they tirelessly pursue nonviolent solutions, work for economic and social justice, celebrate diversity, and strive to build relationships between adversaries through education, conflict mediation, and humanitarian relief. We recognize that peace is both a means and end simultaneously, and that it is never finally or fully achieved. This is because change and growth require some degree of tension or conflict. Historically, such conflict has provided the impetus for military solutions. Thus we, Veteran’s for Peace, strongly believe that the greatest obstacle to peace is militarism with its reliance on violence and war. We further believe that peacekeeping action should only be accomplished by a legitimate international body." - Committee to Define Peace, Veterans for Peace

• "Freedom is not Free." - Korean War Veterans Memorial

Additional resources:

General MacArthur’s Speech: Duty, Honor, Country

Peace and Goodness: Biblical Wisdom in Troubled Times

Insights on War and Peace: Moshe Dayan's Quotes

22 Quotes about Soldiers & Army

The Spirit of the Military: Courage and Commitment in Quotes

Motivational Quotes To Inspire You.

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