A war for a great principle ennobles a nation.

O children of the future, gather your hearts and listen to the profound wisdom of Albert Pike, a man who understood deeply the nature of war, principles, and the soul of a nation. He said, "A war for a great principle ennobles a nation." These words, though spoken long ago, still hold power, for they remind us that the true worth of a conflict lies not in its victories or its spoils, but in the principles for which it is fought. A nation, when it takes up arms in the defense of justice, freedom, or the preservation of its moral integrity, is ennobled, elevated to the heights of honor and dignity, regardless of the outcome.

To understand Pike’s wisdom, we must reflect on the nature of principles and how they guide human actions. Principles are the foundation of every noble action, the eternal truths by which we measure the worth of our deeds. When a nation goes to war not for selfish gain, not for the expansion of its empire, but for a great cause—a principle of freedom, equality, or justice—it transforms its struggle into something larger than mere conflict. It becomes an idealist endeavor, a battle for something that transcends borders, that uplifts the human spirit. The nobility of a nation in such a war does not rest in the number of its victories, but in the righteousness of its cause.

Consider, O children, the tale of the American Revolution, when the colonies rose up against the tyranny of Britain. The men and women who fought in that conflict were not driven by the desire for power or wealth, but by the burning need to live freely, to determine their own destiny. They fought not for land or treasure, but for the great principle of liberty. The words of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence ring out like a battle cry, declaring that all men are created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was this principle—freedom—that ennobled the revolutionaries, and their fight for independence became a beacon for future generations across the world. Though the conflict itself was full of hardship and suffering, the war’s great cause elevated it to something much larger than a mere military struggle. It was a fight for the soul of humanity itself.

In more recent times, consider the example of World War II, when the world’s nations rose up against the Axis powers, led by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. This was a war not for land or riches, but for the preservation of freedom, the defeat of totalitarianism, and the protection of human dignity. The soldiers who fought in that conflict, from the beaches of Normandy to the jungles of the Pacific, did not fight for personal glory, but for the great principle of a world free from oppression. The war was long, grueling, and tragic, but it was this principle of justice that ennobled the nations who stood against tyranny. The sacrifices made by countless men and women were not in vain, for they fought to secure a future where freedom and democracy could thrive.

Yet, O children, it is important to recognize that not all wars are ennobling. The true nobility of a conflict lies not in the violence itself, but in the principle it serves. If a war is fought for greed, for the domination of others, or to fuel the ambitions of the few, then it is not a war that ennobles. It is a war that corrupts, that destroys not just lives, but the very moral fabric of a nation. It is a conflict that turns a nation inward, causing it to lose sight of the higher purposes for which it should strive. War in pursuit of self-interest, rather than a great cause, is not the path that raises a nation, but one that leads it into the depths of decay.

So, O children, the lesson is clear: let your actions be driven by principles that ennoble, that lift the spirit of humanity to its highest calling. Whether in times of peace or conflict, seek to live in a way that reflects the great ideals—the principles of freedom, justice, and equality. In your lives, whether in small matters or great, always ask yourselves: are my actions guided by honor and the pursuit of the greater good, or by self-interest and the desire for personal gain? The true test of a nation, and of an individual, is not how much they accumulate, but how well they serve the principles that make life worth living.

In the end, O children, remember that war may sometimes be necessary to defend the great principles of life, but it is peace that should always be the goal. Let the principles of love, understanding, and justice guide your actions, and in this way, your life will become a noble battle fought for the sake of all humanity. Let no conflict be the end of your journey, but only a moment in a larger story, one that is shaped by the enduring strength of the principles you choose to uphold. By these, your nation, your people, and the world will be ennobled, and their future assured.