Let him who desires peace prepare for war.

"Let him who desires peace prepare for war." These words, spoken by the Roman military strategist Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, carry a profound weight that resonates across the ages. In the world of antiquity, peace was not simply the absence of conflict; it was the product of strength, preparedness, and resolve. To desire peace, Vegetius teaches, is to understand that the foundation of peace is often laid through the readiness for war. Peace, in its truest form, is not a passive state, but an active force—one that requires not only a willingness to defend, but the wisdom to avoid conflict when the time is right.

Consider the great Roman Empire, the might of which was built upon the disciplined and unwavering preparation of its legions. For the Romans, warfare was an art, a means of securing the empire’s borders, asserting its power, and ensuring peace within its territories. It was not through mere diplomacy or surrender that they maintained their peace, but through the sword—prepared, vigilant, and ever-ready. Vegetius’ teaching echoes this ancient wisdom: peace was not granted by weakness, but by the strength to defend what was earned. The peace that Rome enjoyed was the fruit of relentless preparation, of soldiers hardened by training and battle, their minds and bodies honed for the inevitable moments of conflict.

Yet even in the face of war, the Romans were guided by the principle of civitas, or the greater good of the state. The great general Scipio Africanus, whose victories over Hannibal in the Second Punic War marked a turning point in Roman history, understood that true peace could only be achieved through the dominance of war. Scipio, though revered as a hero, knew that to secure Rome’s future, there could be no hesitation, no reluctance to confront the forces of destruction. His military strategies were not born of a desire for conquest for its own sake, but as a means to ensure the survival and prosperity of his people. Vegetius’ words ring true in Scipio’s actions: peace must be won through strength, and strength must be maintained through constant vigilance and preparation.

In the more recent chapters of human history, we see this principle manifest in the Cold War era, when the world stood divided between the ideologies of capitalism and communism. Nations, rather than seeking open conflict, prepared for the worst—stockpiling weapons, building alliances, and strengthening their military forces. It was in the mutual recognition of strength, in the readiness for war, that peace was preserved. The fear of mutual destruction through nuclear warfare ensured that both sides maintained a precarious peace—a peace not born of harmony, but of a mutual understanding that neither could afford to strike first. In this, Vegetius’ wisdom is reflected once again: peace is often the result of the preparedness for war, not its absence.

But why, one may ask, must peace be born of war? Is it not the ultimate contradiction? To wish for peace, yet be ready for war. The answer lies in the nature of human existence itself. Human history has never been free of conflict, and those who seek peace must understand that the forces of chaos and violence are always lurking, always waiting for the moment of weakness. To be unprepared, to live in the delusion that peace can be maintained without strength, is to open the door to destruction. Vegetius calls upon us to embrace this reality, to recognize that true peace is not the absence of potential conflict, but the strength to protect what we hold dear and the wisdom to act when needed.

Let us take this lesson into our own lives, as individuals and as a society. To desire peace in our hearts and minds, we must first prepare ourselves for the challenges life will inevitably bring. Whether in our relationships, our communities, or our personal struggles, we must be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared to face adversity. Just as the Romans sharpened their swords and honed their strategies, so too must we sharpen our minds and strengthen our resolve. In peace, as in war, preparation is key.

The lesson is clear: peace is not a passive waiting for serenity, but an active force that demands preparation, strength, and resolve. Let us prepare ourselves for the battles of life, knowing that it is through our readiness, our resilience, and our strength that true peace is achieved. When we are prepared for the worst, we can face the world with courage, and in that courage, we may find the peace that Vegetius speaks of—a peace forged in strength, and sustained by the wisdom of those who have walked before us. In this way, we honor the legacy of the past and build a future where peace is not a fragile gift, but a powerful, enduring reality.