However much pains may be taken to combine the soldier and…
“However much pains may be taken to combine the soldier and the citizen in one and the same individual, whatever may be done to nationalize wars, never will it be possible to do away with the professionalism of the business; and if that cannot be done, then those who belong to it will always look upon themselves as a kind of guild, in the regulations, laws, and customs in which the "Spirit of War" finds its expression. It would be very wrong to look down upon this corporate spirit, or esprit de corps, which may and should exist more or less in every Army.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Attempts to merge soldier and citizen fail; war remains a professional, guild‑like institution with its own culture.
In simple terms: War cannot be fully civilianized; professional military culture persists.
Key Takeaway
Accept the reality of military professionalism.
Themes
war
professionalism
culture
citizen‑soldier
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
analytical
critical
When to use this quote
- Policy debates
- military reforms
- training programs
- public perception
- international law
Key Concepts
Guild dynamics
military identity
civil‑military relations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies balance civilian oversight with military expertise?
- What reforms respect both professionalism and democratic values?
A Different Perspective
Professionalism may resist reforms and can alienate civilians.