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Full Idea
War can confer only one right over captives, and that is to ensure that they no longer harm victors.
Gist of Idea
The only right victors have over captives is the protection of the former
Source
Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws (rev. 1757) [1748], 15.02)
Book Ref
Montesquieu,Baron de: 'Selected Political Writings', ed/tr. Richter,Melvin [Hackett 1990], p.201
A Reaction
He is arguing against both the killing of captives, and their enslavement.
| 23576 | Sacking a city is lawful if it motivates the attacking troops [Vitoria] |
| 20001 | The only right victors have over captives is the protection of the former [Montesquieu] |
| 23850 | The soldier-civilian distinction should be abolished; every citizen is committed to a war [Weil] |
| 23579 | Soldiers will only protect civilians if they feel safe from them [Walzer] |
| 23586 | What matters in war is unacceptable targets, not unacceptable weapons [Walzer] |
| 23591 | If the oppressor is cruel, nonviolence is either surrender, or a mere gesture [Walzer] |
| 23602 | Innocence implies not being morally responsible, rather than merely being guiltless [McMahan] |