The phrase "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!" comes from the famous anti-war song "War," originally recorded by The Temptations and famously re-recorded by Edwin Starr in 1970. The song is a powerful protest against the Vietnam War and war in general, emphasizing the destruction, loss of innocent lives, and widespread suffering that war causes
. The song's lyrics express a clear message that war brings only heartbreak, tears, and devastation, with no positive outcome. It highlights how war shatters dreams, causes disability, bitterness, and death, and ultimately takes life away rather than giving anything meaningful
. This message has resonated for decades and remains relevant as conflicts continue worldwide. Beyond the song, reflections on war underscore its brutal reality: it causes immense human suffering and trauma, disrupts communities, and contradicts the work of healers and caregivers who strive to save lives and promote health
. War is often seen as an archaic and destructive endeavor that humanity should have outgrown, yet it persists, reminding us of the ongoing need for peace and harmony. In summary, war is widely regarded as good for nothing but destruction and suffering, a view powerfully captured in cultural expressions like Edwin Starr's song and echoed in humanitarian perspectives
