But if the cause be not good, the king himself hath a…
““But if the cause be not good, the king himself hath a heavy reckoning to make, when all those legs and arms and heads, chopped off in battle, shall join together at the latter day and cry all 'We died at such a place;' some swearing, some crying for a surgeon, some upon their wives left poor behind them, some upon the debts they owe, some upon their children rawly left. I am afeard there are few die well that die in a battle; for how can they charitably dispose of anything, when blood is their argument? Now, if these men do not die well, it will be a black matter for the king that led them to it; whom to disobey were against all proportion of subjection.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
If a war’s cause is unjust, the king bears moral responsibility for the suffering of his soldiers, who die without dignity.
In simple terms: A king is accountable for soldiers’ miserable deaths in a bad cause.
Key Takeaway
Leaders must justify war motives.
Themes
war
ethics
leadership
mortality
Mood
somber
critical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- politician defending a controversial war
- soldier questioning orders
- historian analyzing unjust conflicts
- activist protesting war motives
Key Concepts
moral responsibility
just war theory
Practical Applications
- Demand transparent war justifications
- Provide support for veterans of unjust conflicts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies hold leaders accountable for unjust wars?
- What defines a 'good' cause for conflict?
A Different Perspective
Historical contexts differ; modern accountability mechanisms may not apply.