Skip to content
Shawords

Quote#Self

At the outset the solemn asseverations of monarchs and leading…

Quote byArthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede · 1871–1946

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Introduction.

English (original)

At the outset the solemn asseverations of monarchs and leading statesmen in each nation that they did not want war must be placed on a par with the declarations of men who pour paraffin about a house knowing they are continually striking matches and yet assert they do not want a conflagration. This form of self-deception, which involved the deception of others, is fundamentally dishonest.

— Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede

2.5K

More from Arthur Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Shulbrede