(FR)
L'écrivain et philosophe français Paul Valéry, contemporain des premières et deuxièmes guerres mondiales, portait un regard sévère à l'encontre de la guerre.
Cette citation résume bien sa pensée :
La guerre, un massacre de gens qui ne se connaissent pas, au profit de gens qui se connaissent et ne se massacrent pas.
Refusant de collaborer pendant l'Occupation allemande en France, Paul Valéry, alors secrétaire de l'Académie Française, rendit hommage au philosophe juif Henri Bergson. Cet acte rebelle lui valut de perdre son poste de secrétaire.
(ENG)
The French writer and philosopher Paul Valéry, a contemporary of the first and second world wars, took a severe view of war.
This quote sums up his thoughts well:
War, a massacre of people who don't know each other, for the benefit of people who know each other and don't massacre each other.
Refusing to collaborate during the German Occupation in France, Paul Valéry, then secretary of the French Academy, paid homage to the Jewish philosopher Henri Bergson. This rebellious act earned him the loss of his post as secretary.
Paul Valéry portant la tenue de l'Académie Française / Paul Valéry wearing the outfit of the French Academy