War is the sure result of the existence of armed men. That…
“War is the sure result of the existence of armed men. That country which maintains a large standing army will sooner or later have a war. The man who prides himself on fisticuffs is going, some day, to meet a man who considers himself the better man, and they will test the issue.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Argues that large standing armies increase the likelihood of war, and that aggression leads to conflict with stronger opponents.
In simple terms: Big armies invite war; aggression meets stronger resistance.
Key Takeaway
Consider the costs of militarization.
Themes
war
military
power
peace
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- foreign policy
- defense budgeting
- international relations
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
political science
deterrence
conflict theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Is a strong defense always necessary?
- What alternatives exist to prevent war?
A Different Perspective
Peaceful negotiation can be overlooked in favor of force.