Margaret Mitchell: Wars = Money Squabbles

Posted by admin on Monday, February 20, 2017

Margaret Mitchell Money Quote clarifying the true meaning of war – always fights over money, even though nations make them about high purposes, they are just money squabbles. Margaret Mitchell said:
 

 

“No matter what rallying cries the orators give to the idiots who fight, no matter what noble purposes they assign to wars, there is never but one reason for a war. And that is money. All wars are in reality money squabbles” — Margaret Mitchell

 

 

In this quote, Margaret Mitchell appears to be criticizing the notion that wars are ever truly fought for lofty, ideological reasons as proclaimed by political leaders. She asserts that “there is never but one reason for a war. And that is money.”

By this, the best interpretation is that Mitchell believes wars usually boil down to underlying economic motivations and conflicts over resources/territory, rather than the patriotic or humanitarian justifications often presented to rally public support.

Her view seems to be that wars are essentially “money squabbles” between nations, with ordinary citizens who fight and die being misled about the true commercial or strategic ambitions driving their leaders to engage in armed conflict. Overall, this quote presents a cynical perspective that questions the sincerity behind stated causes of wars throughout history.

Birthday: November 8, 1900 – Death: August 16, 1949

Categories: war Tagged:margaret mitchell