Apt Quote by Tu Fu
““Wagons rattling and banging, horses neighing and snorting, conscripts marching, each with bow and arrows at his hip, fathers and mothers, wives and children, running to see them off-- so much dust kicked up you can't see Xian-yang Bridge! And the families pulling at their clothes, stamping feet in anger, blocking the way and weeping-- ah, the sound of their wailing rises straight up to assault heaven. And a passerby asks, "What's going on?" The soldier says simply, "This happens all the time. From age fifteen some are sent to guard the north, and even at forty some work the army farms in the west. When they leave home, the village headman has to wrap their turbans for them; when they come back, white-haired, they're still guarding the frontier. The frontier posts run with blood enough to fill an ocean, and the war-loving Emperor's dreams of conquest have still not ended.””
About This Quote
The passage portrays the relentless cycle of conscription and war, showing how ordinary families are torn apart while the state’s endless militarism continues unabated.
In simple terms: War’s endless toll on families
Key Takeaway
War perpetuates suffering across generations
Themes
war
family
militarism
sacrifice
imperial ambition
Mood
somber
reflective
grim
Type
historical
narrative
lament
When to use this quote
- soldiers leaving home
- families mourning
- rural communities confronting war
- imperial officials planning campaigns
Key Concepts
conscription
frontier defense
social disruption
state power
Practical Applications
- historical analysis of military conscription
- educational material on war’s social impact
Questions to Reflect On
- How does perpetual war reshape societal values?
- What responsibilities do leaders have to protect families?
![“[Iain, addressing the Rangers at the end of the French & Indian war] "Never has the world see a war as this one, but you turned the tide of it, spillin' your blood to keep frontier families safe. Years from now, people will remember the Rangers, the sacrifices you made, the battles you fought, the…” quote by Pamela Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b76/pamela-clare-3224_family_iain-addressing-the-rangers-at-the-end-o_3009798.jpg)
