Interesting opinions on war. Are they contradictory?
'Why do great states go to war? The only good reason is state egoism, not romantic ideas. It is not worthy for a great state to fight for something which is not in its own interest'.
Bismarck's speech to the Prussian Landtag on the Olmütz Agreement, 3 December 1850
'The central idea pervading this struggle is the necessity that is upon us, of proving that popular government is not an absurdity'.
Lincoln to John Hay, 1861
'Why do great states go to war? The only good reason is state egoism, not romantic ideas. It is not worthy for a great state to fight for something which is not in its own interest'.
Bismarck's speech to the Prussian Landtag on the Olmütz Agreement, 3 December 1850
'The central idea pervading this struggle is the necessity that is upon us, of proving that popular government is not an absurdity'.
Lincoln to John Hay, 1861
