I don’t know whether war is an interlude during peace, or peace an interlude during war.
Meaning of the quote
This quote suggests that it's hard to tell whether war or peace is the normal, everyday state of the world. The speaker is saying they're not sure if war is just a brief break from peace, or if peace is just a brief break from war. They're pointing out how constant conflict and instability can feel, making it unclear which is the norm and which is the exception.
About Georges Clemenceau
Georges Clemenceau was a influential French statesman who served as Prime Minister during and after World War I. He played a key role in the politics of the Third Republic and was a driving force behind the harsh Treaty of Versailles, earning him the nicknames ‘Father Victory’ and ‘The Tiger’.
More quotes from Georges Clemenceau
I don’t know whether war is an interlude during peace, or peace an interlude during war.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
A man who waits to believe in action before acting is anything you like, but he’s not a man of action. You must act as you breathe.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
A collective tyrant, spread over the length and breadth of the land, is no more acceptable than a single tyrant ensconced on his throne.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
All that I know I learned after I was thirty.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
My home policy: I wage war; my foreign policy: I wage war. All the time I wage war.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
In order to act, you must be somewhat insane. A reasonably sensible man is satisfied with thinking.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
Begin to free yourself at once by doing all that is possible with the means you have, and as you proceed in this spirit the way will open for you to do more.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
It is far easier to make war than peace.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
Everything I know I learned after I was thirty.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
America is the only nation in history which miraculously has gone directly from barbarism to degeneration without the usual interval of civilization.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
A man’s life is interesting primarily when he has failed – I well know. For it’s a sign that he tried to surpass himself.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920
War is too serious a matter to entrust to military men.
Prime Minister of France, 1906-1909 and 1917-1920