The trouble is that once America goes off to war, it can't very well return without having fought one. If it doesn't find its enemy, for the sake of the enraged folks back home, it will have to manufacture one. Once war begins, it will develop a momentum, a logic and a justification of its own, and we'll lose sight of why it's being fought in the first place.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Once a war starts, it gains momentum and may fabricate enemies to justify its existence.
- In plain terms
- Wars create their own logic and make it hard to stop even when the original goal is lost.
- What can you take from it?
- Be wary of wars with unclear objectives.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Why did the war start?
- Who profits from continuing it?
Another view
Sometimes military action is necessary to stop aggression.
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