15 Wise Quotes from General Dwight D. Eisenhower

Few men have the same sort of reverence and respect as Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was the Supreme Commander of American forces during the Second World War and was one of the most important presidents to oversee the Cold War. The man had a way with words as well, which you’ll no doubt see.

Problem-Solving

“If a problem cannot be solved, enlarge it.“

Dwight D. Eisenhower certainly understood what it was to solve a problem, especially when considering the planning that went into D-Day.

History

“The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice!“

You could argue against this one, but given Eisenhower’s perspective, I’m inclined to agree with it.

Peace

“I think that people want peace so much that one of these days government had better get out of their way and let them have it.“

One thing you’ll note about Eisenhower is the prevailing message of peace.

Holding Office

“No one should ever sit in this office over 70 years old, and that I know.“

This one is decidedly poignant in today’s political climate.

War

“There is no glory in battle worth the blood it costs.“

Eisenhower wasn’t a glory hound, he understood that combat and war have their prices.

Weaponry

“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired, signifies in the final sense a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.“

War profiteers were still reeling in cash during Korea and Vietnam, which Eisenhower no doubt saw happening.

Politics

“Politics ought to be the part-time profession of every citizen who would protect the rights and privileges of free people and who would preserve what is good and fruitful in our national heritage.“

This is a fantastic quote, everyone should be involved in their local politics.

Man’s Innovation

“If men can develop weapons that are so terrifying as to make the thought of global war include almost a sentence for suicide, you would think that man’s intelligence and his comprehension would include also his ability to find a peaceful solution.“

If men can build a nuclear bomb, they could figure out a way to peacefully resolve conflicts, simply put.

Security

“If you want total security, go to prison. There you’re fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking is freedom.“

Total security means a loss of freedom, something that is sadly relevant in the wake of the surveillance state.

Faith in People

“I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it.“

Eisenhower had supreme faith in people, no matter where they were from.

The Spectre of Atomic Bombs

“I feel impelled to speak today in a language that in a sense is a new one which I, who have spent so much of my life in the military profession, would have preferred never to use. That new language is the language of atomic warfare.“

It had to be a horrifying sight to watch mass bombardment give way to the most frightening weapons known to mankind.

The Military-Industrial Complex

“We must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex.“

The war profiteers were bottom of the barrel when considered by Eisenhower, and it isn’t hard to imagine why.

Nuclear Deterrence

“The United States strongly seeks a lasting agreement for the discontinuance of nuclear weapons tests. We believe that this would be an important step toward the reduction of international tensions and would open the way to further agreement on substantial measures of disarmament.“

Nuclear war loomed over politics between the United States and the Soviet Union for the whole of the Cold War. Even limited deployment of weapons would have been catastrophic.

False Flags

“In most communities, it is illegal to cry ‘fire’ in a crowded assembly. Should it not be considered serious international misconduct to manufacture a general war scare in an effort to achieve local political aims?“

Warhawks and fearmongers would do well to keep Eisenhower’s words in mind.

The Futility of Combat

“When people speak to you about a preventive war, you tell them to go and fight it. After my experience, I have come to hate war.“

There is no such thing as a just war, at least to Eisenhower.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©"President Eisenhower 1959" by Infrogmation is licensed under BY 2.0..