A nation's ability to fight a modern war is as good as its

Gather closely, O children, and hear the words of Frank Whittle, a man whose vision of the future of war transcended the constraints of his time: "A nation's ability to fight a modern war is as good as its technological ability." These words are not mere reflections on the tools of war, but a profound truth about the essence of strength in the modern age. Whittle, a visionary who contributed greatly to the creation of the jet engine, understood that in the days of old, wars were fought with swords, shields, and men on horseback. But in his time, and in the times to come, the true measure of a nation's strength would lie not just in the number of soldiers or the might of its empire, but in the power of its technology—the very tools it used to fight, to conquer, and to survive.

In the days of ancient warfare, O children, strength was defined by the size of the army, the skill of the warriors, and the courage of the leaders. The mighty Romans knew this well. Their legions, with their discipline and formation, swept across the ancient world, conquering lands far and wide. The use of the phalanx or the gladius sword gave them a great advantage over their enemies. But as the centuries passed, and as wars grew more complex, the old methods of war were no longer sufficient. The sword was replaced by the gun, the cannon, and eventually, the aircraft and tanks. Each age demanded its own tools, and each new technology brought with it a shift in the balance of power.

Now, O children, look to the story of World War II, a time when technology became the decisive factor in determining the victor. The Allied forces and the Axis powers fought not only with the might of their armies but with the might of their machines. The Germans, for all their military prowess, found themselves unable to withstand the sheer technological might of the Allies, who developed radar, the B-29 bombers, and, most notably, the atomic bomb. These were not weapons that could be matched with swords or shields—they were the products of science, the embodiment of human ingenuity. The war, ultimately, was won not by the strength of individual soldiers alone, but by the power of technology harnessed in the service of victory.

In the modern age, the lessons of World War II resonate still. The conflicts of today—be they on the battlefields of Iraq or in the airspace over Syria—are not decided by the bravery of the men and women alone, but by the machines they wield. The fighter jets, the drones, the cyberattacks, and the vast networks of intelligence gathering are the true weapons of war. The technological prowess of a nation determines how well it can wage war, how effectively it can defend itself, and how swiftly it can strike at its enemies. Whittle’s words ring true: it is not enough to have a well-trained army or a well-equipped navy. What matters more than anything else is the technology that powers these forces, that makes them faster, smarter, and more precise than ever before.

And yet, children, there is more to Whittle’s words than just the march of machines. Technology, while it may give a nation the power to fight, does not give it the wisdom to choose the right wars to fight. Technology is a double-edged sword. The very same tools that allow for defense can also be used for destruction. The atomic bomb that helped end one war brought the world to the brink of annihilation. The drones that are used to target enemies from the skies can also bring destruction to the innocent. The lesson, then, is clear: while a nation must have the technology to fight, it must also have the wisdom to use it with care, to understand the consequences of its power, and to seek peace when possible.

In your own lives, children, Whittle’s words have a lesson for us. Just as a nation’s ability to wage war is tied to its technological prowess, so too is your ability to navigate the world tied to your mastery of the tools at your disposal. In the world of knowledge, the tools of the modern age are books, computers, and the internet—tools that grant you access to all of human knowledge. To succeed, you must not only have the courage and the will to face your challenges but the wisdom to wield the technology at your disposal. Just as a nation must balance its power with wisdom, so too must you balance your intellectual and emotional strength with the tools that will help you achieve your goals.

So, children, remember this lesson from Whittle’s words: technology gives us the power to shape our world, to fight our battles, and to protect our futures. But it is not enough to have power. We must use that power wisely, with a deep understanding of its consequences, and always with the aim of seeking peace and justice. Whether on the battlefield or in the pursuit of personal goals, may we always strive to be as wise as we are strong, and to wield our tools not in the pursuit of destruction, but in the service of a better world. The battle is not won merely by strength, but by the wisdom with which we use the power we possess.