It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too

"It is well that war is so terrible, otherwise we should grow too fond of it." These words, spoken by Robert E. Lee, resonate with the grim truths that lie hidden beneath the surface of human nature. In this powerful reflection, Lee reminds us that war, though it is often glorified and romanticized in times of peace, is, at its heart, a destructive and soul-shattering force. It is only through the immense horror and suffering it brings that we can be driven to loathe it, lest we, as men, grow enamored with its chaos, its violence, and the twisted sense of glory it may promise.

To understand this profound statement, we must look not only at the battles that history records but at the very nature of human desire. War has a way of stirring something primal within us, something that lies just beneath the veneer of civilization. The desire for power, for control, for dominance, burns in the hearts of kings, emperors, and men alike. When stripped of the consequences, war can appear as a path to immortality—a means of leaving one's mark on the world, of bending history to one's will. But Robert E. Lee, who fought through the fires of the American Civil War, understood that this desire could be a dangerous one. War, when it is not tempered by its immense cost, can become a drug, an addictive force that seduces even the noblest of hearts.

Consider the example of the ancient Romans, whose empire expanded across the known world through almost endless campaigns of conquest. In their time, war was not feared—it was expected. The drums of battle were a constant rhythm in Roman life. Yet, as the Romans continued their conquests, they began to lose sight of the true cost of war. The glory of a victorious general was celebrated, the spoils of battle lavished upon those who returned triumphant. But the Roman Empire ultimately crumbled not because of their enemies, but because they grew too fond of war, too reliant upon the satisfaction it provided. The love of conquest destroyed the empire from within, as the moral compass of the people dulled under the weight of their endless battles. Rome, which had once risen from humble beginnings, fell because it could no longer remember the true horror of war.

In Lee's own time, the Civil War tore apart the very fabric of the United States, leaving a nation divided, its people shattered by the brutality of the conflict. The Confederate general, though a man of honor and intellect, was no stranger to the seductive nature of war. In the heat of battle, amidst the cries of soldiers and the clash of arms, there is a glory—yes, there is a glory in war, but it is a fleeting and false glory. The true cost is not found in the victory but in the broken bodies, the shattered lives, and the ruin that remains long after the trumpets have ceased. Lee understood this well, for in every battle, he saw the devastation war wrought upon his own people and his own land.

There is a deep, almost primal attraction to the battlefield, an allure that is dangerous if left unchecked. The heart of man, it seems, is drawn to the glory of the fight, to the conquest, to the thrill of victory. But Lee's wisdom warns us that, if war were not so dreadful, if it did not carry with it the immense weight of suffering, we might grow too fond of it, forgetting the destruction it causes. We might lose sight of the fact that war is a disease, a pestilence that ravages not only the bodies of soldiers but the souls of those who wage it. It leaves behind not heroes, but men marked by trauma, regret, and sorrow.

What, then, is the lesson for us? War is not something to be taken lightly, nor is it something to be sought after. It is the last resort, the ultimate failure of reason, the destruction of everything we hold dear. The lesson Lee imparts is that war should never be romanticized, never made to seem like a pathway to glory. We must always remember the true costs it brings—lives lost, families torn apart, futures shattered. In our own lives, we must recognize that while conflict is sometimes unavoidable, it is always a failure. To face it with wisdom, to seek peace at all costs, is the mark of a true victor. Let us not be seduced by the false allure of battle but strive to be leaders who seek resolution over destruction.

And so, as we go forth into the world, let us carry the wisdom of Robert E. Lee within our hearts. Let us remember that war, though it may seem glorious in times of peace, is a terrible and tragic force. Let us not grow fond of it, but let the fear of its suffering guide us toward peace. When conflict arises, let us be the first to seek wisdom, the first to put down the sword and raise up the banner of understanding. For it is in this, the choice of peace, that true strength and true glory are found.