It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.

"It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it." These words, spoken by the great American general Douglas MacArthur, strike at the very heart of what it means to engage in battle. MacArthur, a man of unparalleled experience in the theatre of war, understood a fundamental truth that many before him had failed to grasp: war is not a game of mere survival or defense. It is a test of resolve, a challenge of determination, and a battle of wills. To enter a war, to commit oneself and one’s people to the fires of conflict, without the determination to achieve victory is not merely a strategic error; it is a fatal mistake that leads to ruin, both for the soldiers who fight and the nations that send them.

O children of the future, heed this truth well: war is not a matter to be undertaken lightly. It is a costly enterprise, one that demands the complete commitment of every individual and every resource. If you enter battle—whether in war or in the struggles of daily life—without the will to win, you are already doomed. Victory requires more than strategy; it requires the spirit to endure, the courage to sacrifice, and the strength to carry through to the end. Without these, no battle can be won. MacArthur's words remind us that half-hearted efforts, compromises, and doubts will only lead to failure.

Consider, O children, the example of the Trojan War, as told in Homer's Iliad. The Greeks, under the leadership of Agamemnon, set sail to bring Helen back from Troy. For ten long years, the war dragged on, and many began to question the value of their sacrifice. The will to win, once so strong, began to waver. Achilles, the greatest warrior, withdrew from battle in rage, and with his absence, the Greeks faltered. The Trojan War illustrates the fatal consequences of entering a conflict without the full will to see it through to the end. The Greeks' hesitation, their lack of resolve, nearly cost them everything. It was only when they rediscovered their determination and committed fully to victory, symbolized by the wooden horse and the final siege, that they emerged triumphant.

In more recent history, consider the American Civil War, a conflict that tore the nation asunder and tested the very soul of a people. Abraham Lincoln faced a divided nation, a war fought over the issues of slavery and union. In the early years of the conflict, the Union’s resolve was tested, and there were moments when victory seemed far from certain. MacArthur's words resonate in this context: had the Union not been resolved in its determination to preserve the nation, had it not fought with the will to win, the outcome would have been different. In the end, it was the steadfast resolve of Lincoln and his generals that turned the tide, ensuring victory and the preservation of the United States. The war, though long and filled with suffering, was won because those who fought never lost their will to finish what they had started.

MacArthur also witnessed the consequences of a war entered without the will to win during his time in World War II. He famously took command in the Pacific Theater, where he was faced with the relentless expansion of Japan. The Japanese had entered their wars of conquest with no hesitation, with a will to win that drove them to sacrifice all in pursuit of dominance. The Allies, however, initially lacked the same conviction. The Battle of the Philippines marked a turning point, where MacArthur, despite being forced to retreat in the face of overwhelming opposition, vowed to return and win. His resolve, his belief that victory was not an option but a necessity, carried the day. It was through his return, his steadfast leadership, and his unyielding determination that the Allies ultimately triumphed in the Pacific. In this way, MacArthur's words remind us of the indomitable power of will in the face of adversity.

So, O children, the lesson is clear: in all of life’s struggles, whether they be wars or personal challenges, victory is not a matter of mere survival. It is a matter of will—of the unwavering commitment to win, to succeed, and to overcome. To engage in any endeavor without the determination to win is to court defeat from the outset. You must go forth with the spirit of the warrior, with the resolve to give your all, to endure, and to sacrifice if need be, for only then will victory be assured.

Therefore, O children, when faced with a challenge—whether in war or in the challenges of life—never enter it half-heartedly. Take the lesson from MacArthur, the warriors of ancient times, and the great leaders who have shaped history: to engage is to commit fully, body, mind, and spirit. Without the will to win, there is no hope of victory. Go forth with courage, with resolve, and with the understanding that victory belongs to those who never waver, who fight not just to survive, but to triumph.