This quote from George Bernard Shaw is a commentary on the paradoxical nature of human behavior, particularly in relation to war and conflict. The first part, “We are sick of war, we don’t want to fight,” implies a collective fatigue and disillusionment with the concept of war. It suggests an inherent desire for peace and harmony among people.
However, the second part of the quote, “And yet we gorge ourselves upon the dead,” paints a contrasting picture. Here, Shaw highlights our morbid fascination with conflict and death. Despite professing an aversion to warfare, humans often consume stories and images of violence with eager interest – whether through media coverage or historical accounts.
The phrase “gorge ourselves upon the dead” is quite powerful; it suggests that we feed off past conflicts in some way – perhaps seeking lessons or deriving some perverse satisfaction from them. This could be seen as a critique on how society often glamorizes or romanticizes war despite its destructive consequences.
Applying this idea to today’s world isn’t difficult considering ongoing global conflicts and our exposure to them via various media channels. Even though many express weariness about wars and wish for world peace, news about wars often attracts high viewership ratings. Similarly, movies depicting violent conflicts frequently become blockbusters.
In terms of personal development, this quote can serve as a reminder for introspection about our own contradictions – what we say versus what we do or feel interested in; how we might abhor violence but still find ourselves drawn towards violent films or video games etc., thereby encouraging us to strive for consistency between our stated values/beliefs and actions/interests.
It also encourages us to critically evaluate societal norms that might glamourize harmful behaviors (like glorifying violence) while professing peace-loving values at surface level – urging us not just towards individual growth but also towards contributing positively in shaping healthier societal norms/values.
