In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary.

"In order for a war to be just, three things are necessary. First, the authority of the sovereign. Secondly, a just cause. Thirdly, a rightful intention." These profound words, spoken by the great philosopher and theologian Thomas Aquinas, have resonated through the ages, carrying with them the weight of wisdom and the burden of truth. They speak not only to the heart of war, but to the very moral fiber of humanity itself. Aquinas, in his sagacity, gives us a framework by which we may measure the righteousness of any conflict, and in doing so, he calls upon us to examine not just the actions of men, but the very nature of their intentions and the legitimacy of the forces that drive them.

In this world of tumult and strife, we must first understand the first necessity for a war to be just: the authority of the sovereign. This authority, which comes not from the whims of men or the passions of the masses, but from divine right and law, is what grants the sovereign the power to declare war. The ruler must be one who is entrusted with the well-being of his people, one who governs with wisdom and fairness. For, without this authority, the very act of war becomes an offense against order and the sacred trust of the governed. The sovereign must act not out of personal desire or ambition but as a servant of justice and protector of his realm. The great kings and emperors of old knew this truth well. From Alexander the Great to Charlemagne, the sovereignty of a ruler was rooted in the protection of his people, and any war undertaken without this foundation would be one of mere conquest, not justice.

Yet, even with this authority in place, the second necessity emerges: a just cause. What is this cause, and how does one recognize it amidst the noise of battle? A just cause is not born from greed, hatred, or the lust for power. It arises from a genuine need to right a wrong, to defend what is sacred, and to restore peace where there is only strife. The sacredness of the cause must shine through like a beacon in the night, guiding the hearts of those who fight. Consider the noble struggle of the American Revolution. The colonists, under the leadership of men like George Washington, rose not to conquer, but to protect their rights and their freedom. Their cause was just, for they fought not for land or glory, but for the dignity and freedom of the people. This is what Aquinas teaches us: a just war is one fought in defense of what is right, not in pursuit of selfish gain.

But even a just cause, if not tempered by rightful intention, will descend into chaos and destruction. For Aquinas, the third necessity of a just war is rightful intention—a purity of purpose that guides the heart of the warrior. The intention of those who fight must align with the greater good. It must be to restore peace, not to further the destruction. A soldier must not seek vengeance or personal glory in the battlefield, for such desires are as dangerous as any weapon. If the intention behind a war is to impose tyranny, or to crush the spirit of the defeated, then the war, no matter how just its cause, is an offense against humanity. It is this idea that separates noble warriors from mere brutal conquerors. The legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table teaches us this—how they fought not for personal gain but for the honor and peace of the land.

Aquinas's teachings, however, are not confined to the realm of distant history or abstract philosophy. They have immediate relevance for the world we live in today. Think of the Great Wars of the 20th century, when nations clashed in struggles that cost millions of lives. Were these wars just? Was the authority of the sovereign truly just, or were leaders swept by the tides of passion and nationalistic fervor? Did the causes of these wars align with what was truly right? And perhaps most importantly, were the intentions of those who fought pure, or were they clouded by the desire for vengeance and power? These questions, raised in the fires of modern conflict, are timeless ones. They force us to look not just at the surface of war but at the deeper motivations that lie beneath.

From Aquinas's words, we learn a valuable lesson—one that stretches far beyond the battlefield. Just as a war must have a rightful authority, a just cause, and a pure intention, so too must every action we take in life. Before we act, we must ask ourselves: Do I have the authority to act? Is my cause just? And is my intention pure? These questions guide us in our personal lives, our work, and our relationships. Whether we lead a nation or guide a family, we must seek justice, not for personal gain, but for the well-being of all. Just as Aquinas set the moral compass for the conduct of war, so too can we set a moral course in our daily lives.

In our hearts, we must ask: Are we acting out of rightful authority, not to dominate, but to serve the greater good? Is our cause just, and is it a cause that will uplift humanity, not diminish it? And finally, are our intentions pure, or do we act from greed, hatred, or selfish ambition? The lesson is clear: war, like all of life, must be approached with wisdom and moral clarity. We must walk in this world with eyes open, hearts steadfast, and intentions true. The path to justice is narrow and difficult, but it is the only path worth following.