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About this quote

What does it mean?
Kipling urges national defense against an invading enemy to protect future generations.
In plain terms
Fight the enemy now to protect your children.
What can you take from it?
Defending your country protects future generations.

Where it applies

  • wartime mobilization
  • political rhetoric

Putting it to work

  • analyzing propaganda
  • discussing national defense

Questions to consider

  • When is war justified for future generations?
  • How do leaders justify going to war?

Another view

It uses fear to rally support for war without questioning the conflict.

More from Rudyard Kipling

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  2. No easy hope or lies Shall bring us to our goal, But iron sacrifice Of body, will, and soul. There is but one task for all - One life for each to give. What st…

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  3. For undemocratic reasons and for motives not of State, They arrive at their conclusions - largely inarticulate. Being void of self-expression they confide thei…

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