“Pacifism only works when your enemy has a conscience.”

— Daniel Abraham

Source: The Expanse, Tiamat's Wrath (2019), Chapter 2 (p. 31)

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Daniel Abraham 141

speculative fiction writer from the United States 1969

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Context: When I assumed command of the Pacific Fleet in 31 December, 1941; our submarines were already operating against the enemy, the only units of the Fleet that could come to grips with the Japanese for months to come.
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“America’s conscience is bankrupt. She lost all conscience a long time ago. Uncle Sam has no conscience. They don’t know what morals are. They don’t try and eliminate an evil because it’s evil, or because it’s illegal, or because it’s immoral; they eliminate it only when it threatens their existence. So you’re wasting your time appealing to the moral conscience of a bankrupt man like Uncle Sam.”

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Context: Don’t change the white man’s mind—you can’t change his mind, and that whole thing about appealing to the moral conscience of America—America’s conscience is bankrupt. She lost all conscience a long time ago. Uncle Sam has no conscience. They don’t know what morals are. They don’t try and eliminate an evil because it’s evil, or because it’s illegal, or because it’s immoral; they eliminate it only when it threatens their existence. So you’re wasting your time appealing to the moral conscience of a bankrupt man like Uncle Sam. If he had a conscience, he’d straighten this thing out with no more pressure being put upon him. So it is not necessary to change the white man’s mind.

“Never repeat the words of your enemy. When you do, their words are heard twice and yours only once.”

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“If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.”

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The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXQxyYllXnM&t=40

“There is no greater mindlessness and absurdity than to force conscience and the spirit with external power, when only their creator has authority for them.”

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“.., by universal custom, your enemy is never more polite than when he is planning or has planned your destruction.”

James Clavell book Shōgun

Source: Shōgun

“Pacifism simply is not a matter of calm looking on; it is hard work.”

Käthe Kollwitz (1867–1945) German artist

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“When your conscience says law is immoral, don't follow it.”

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“Pacifism only works when your enemy has a conscience.”

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