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Full Idea
What is called national prestige consists in behaving always in such a way as to demoralise other nations by giving them the impression that, if it comes to war, one would certainly defeat them.
Gist of Idea
National prestige consists of behaving as if you could beat the others in a war
Source
Simone Weil (The Power of Words [1934], p.244)
Book Ref
Weil,Simone: 'An Anthology' [Penguin 1986], p.244
A Reaction
It's true. No nation gains prestige because of the happy lives of its citizens, or the creativity of its culture.
| 23827 | Modern wars are fought in the name of empty words which are given capital letters [Weil] |
| 23828 | National prestige consists of behaving as if you could beat the others in a war [Weil] |
| 23829 | National leaders want to preserve necessary order - but always the existing order [Weil] |