Competition in armament, both land and naval, is not only a

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Frank B. Kellogg, a man who understood the great dangers that come with the arms of war: "Competition in armament, both land and naval, is not only a terrible burden upon the people, but I believe it to be one of the greatest menaces to the peace of the world." These words, spoken in the context of a world that was being drawn into the vast web of military competition, carry an eternal truth—arms, whether of land or sea, when raised in competition, bring not peace but strife, not security but danger. Kellogg warns us of the burden that warlike preparations place on the shoulders of the common people, and the inevitable consequences that arise when nations focus on building weapons rather than fostering peace.

In the ancient world, the great thinkers and rulers understood that competition in arms could bring destruction, rather than the glory or honor that many sought in battle. The Greeks, for all their wisdom and accomplishments, were not strangers to the effects of war. The Peloponnesian War, between Athens and Sparta, devastated the Greek world. Thucydides, the historian of this great conflict, wrote with haunting clarity about the consequences of military competition. He understood that, while the leaders of these great city-states sought power and dominance, the true burden fell on the people, whose lives were destroyed by the conflict. The ambition of kings and generals led not to peace, but to ruin, showing that the pursuit of military might, rather than diplomacy and mutual respect, was the greatest threat to true peace.

Similarly, the Romans, whose empire spanned much of the known world, also faced the dangers of military competition. Cicero, the great Roman orator and philosopher, warned of the dangers of overbearing military power. In his speeches, he spoke of how excessive reliance on arms and force would erode the moral fabric of society. Cicero understood that when leaders placed their trust in armaments rather than in the virtue and wisdom of the people, they would only bring about strife and division, both within their own borders and with neighboring states. The rise of military power, unchecked and unbalanced, would lead to chaos, not peace.

The story of Alexander the Great is another poignant reminder of how the pursuit of military might can lead not to lasting peace, but to suffering. Though Alexander conquered much of the known world and sought to build an empire of unprecedented scale, his relentless expansion left behind a trail of destruction. In the end, his empire fractured and crumbled, as ambition and competition in arms consumed the very peoples it sought to unite. The lesson of Alexander's life and legacy is clear: no matter how great the victories or how far-reaching the conquests, the competition in armament does not lead to peace—it leads to endless strife and the eventual collapse of even the mightiest empires.

Kellogg, through his words, is calling us to recognize the true cost of such competition—the burden on the people. The pursuit of military supremacy does not come without its price. It drains resources, diverts energy from more productive endeavors, and creates a world where fear and suspicion reign, rather than trust and understanding. The money spent on armaments is money not spent on education, health, or the building of a better society. It is a burden on the common people, whose labor and resources are siphoned away to feed the beast of war. This is not the path to peace—it is the road to endless conflict and misery.

In the modern world, Kellogg’s words are no less relevant. We see nations pouring vast sums into the development of weapons and military technology, while the real needs of their citizens—education, healthcare, and economic opportunity—are neglected. The arms race of the 20th century, with the looming threat of nuclear warfare, serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of military competition. Despite the billions spent on developing weapons, the world has seen no end to conflict and suffering. Instead, true peace remains elusive, as nations continue to prepare for war, rather than fostering diplomatic relations, understanding, and cooperation. The pursuit of armament is not just a waste, but a menace to the very peace it purports to protect.

The lesson for us is clear: when we place our trust in military might rather than in the virtue and wisdom of human cooperation, we sow the seeds of discord and destruction. Kellogg's warning, rooted in the ancient wisdom of the philosophers and leaders who came before him, calls us to a higher path—one of diplomacy, understanding, and cooperation. Rather than pouring our resources into the creation of more weapons, we must redirect them toward the building of peace—through education, understanding, and the nurturing of human bonds.

In your own life, remember that the pursuit of peace does not come from the accumulation of power or weapons, but from the strength of your relationships, the wisdom of your decisions, and the compassion you show to others. Whether in your personal life or in the broader world, seek always to build rather than to destroy, to understand rather than to compete. True peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of mutual respect, trust, and shared values. Let us heed the words of Frank B. Kellogg, and strive for a world where the burden of armament is replaced by the joy of peace.