"That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are suffer able, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed."- Deceleration of Independence.
“Anger can revert to happiness, happiness can revert to joy, but the past cannot be rewritten, and the dead cannot be brought back to life.”- Sun Tzu, Art of War
Perhaps more profound than these quotes are their context; these quotes comes from Sun Tzu, in the Art of War, and the latter from the Deceleration of Independence of the United State's. The art of war, an article known for detailing the processes of success to win in combat, details the importance of human life, and weighing the consequences of one's action. Thus the death of innocent people, and even those whom you currently believe it to be justified, is not something that can be taken back or reversed, where as anger and sadness, can; your own sacrifice is not something to be taken lightly, as life is ultimately fragile, and incapable of being recovered. Rights can be regained, victory can be achieved long after your first defeat, but the lives of many cannot be brought back once they are lost, and what has taken hundreds of years to build can collapse without recovery of the same time frame to rebuild it. It has been said many times before that the true pinnacle of success is not the battle fought, but the battle won; diplomacy, indeed, has resolved more disputes than violence ever has or ever could, with our allies in the UK, Germany, Australia, Canada, and most other country's in the world being far more significant and beneficial than any war with them could ever hope to be. The majority of the time, diplomacy works.
Furthermore, the chaos of war is harsh and unforgiving; should your home land be reduced to violence and anarchy, and your police overwhelmed, then you will have nothing left than to pave the way for criminals and tyrants to gain control over now fragmented sections of society. Criminal organizations, such as drug cartels, the mafia, gangs, even corporations, the most powerful and violent organizations after the government, will all rise up, more powerful than any fallen entity, to take over, and steal what little you have, taking advantage of your weakened state. Such activities will leave you open to attack, allowing enemy's to take over the shambled remains of your country in opportunistic land grabs. Thus rushing into combat is not only foolish but could be at the expense of others, as they burn from the consequences of your actions, assuming you were even successful. War has often been equated to hell, due to the treacherous nature and woe of the calamity; but unlike hell, the casualties of war are mostly filled with innocent people, and people fight tirelessly because there is an end that could await them.
War is never to be taken lightly. It is the greatest affair of the state, the way to life or death, survival or extinction. It must be thoroughly pondered and analyzed.
Both morally, philosophically, intellectually, and analytically. Before engaging in combat, ask yourself; can victory be obtained another way? Are the costs sufficient to warrant the result; are you willing and is it right to sacrifice your life and others for this goal? Can you attain victory in your current state? Are you organized and trained enough to proceed? And finally, is it necessary to go into combat to secure life or liberty?
Too many, I see, are quick to rush recklessly into combat, and take the lives of others. Quick to condemn and slow to forgive, their ignorance feeds their hate, as they refuse to accept the words of their adversaries, and the messages they carry, and the potential they could be wrong. They cannot stand the thought of being unjustified, and thus warp reality in their mind to suit their views on the world, looking for facts to justify their beliefs, rather than formulate beliefs on the foundation of facts, to know they are justified. And it is these same people who are prone to violence and over stepping of their bounds that tend to keep themselves blind, refusing to accept the nature of the world.
But what do you think, ED, and what are your feelings, on the Art of War?