Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be

"Once we have a war there is only one thing to do. It must be won. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war." These words, spoken by Ernest Hemingway, are a stark and sobering reflection on the nature of war and the heavy burdens it imposes on the soul of both the victor and the vanquished. Hemingway, who lived through the chaos and destruction of the First World War, understood that war, once begun, demands an unwavering resolve—victory is the only way forward. For in defeat, the consequences are far more severe and long-lasting than any immediate suffering that war itself may bring. To surrender or falter in war, Hemingway warns, is to invite greater loss, humiliation, and the irrevocable erosion of dignity.

In the ancient world, the weight of defeat was often felt as a mortal blow to the very identity of a people. Take, for example, the fall of Troy, immortalized in Homer's Iliad. The Trojan War was a long, brutal conflict, but the defeat of the Trojans, when it came, was nothing short of catastrophic. Not only did they lose their city, their homes, and their families, but they were also marked by the shame of having their greatest warriors—Hector, the very embodiment of honor—slain by Achilles. The defeat brought suffering to the Trojans that would echo for generations, for their honor was stripped away, and they were forced to submit to their enemies. This echoes Hemingway's truth: once a war is waged, the stakes are so high that defeat carries consequences that far outweigh any temporary victories.

Consider, too, the tragic story of Napoleon Bonaparte. His Russian campaign in 1812, one of his most ill-fated undertakings, was a clear example of what Hemingway warned against. Napoleon's army, once the most formidable in Europe, was decimated by the unforgiving Russian winter and the scorched-earth tactics of the retreating Russian forces. The defeat at Moscow was not merely a military loss; it was the end of Napoleon’s dominance in Europe. The consequences of his failure were not just measured in the loss of men and material, but in the loss of his empire, his reputation, and ultimately, his reign. The defeat marked the beginning of the end for Napoleon, and the humiliation of his downfall led to further wars, the collapse of his dreams, and the bitter surrender of his power. Napoleon’s story shows that, for all the bravery and honor one may have in battle, a defeat can bring more ruin than any victory ever could.

Hemingway’s words also ring true when we examine the Second World War. When Germany was defeated by the Allies, the consequences of their surrender were immense. The Nazi regime, which had sought to dominate Europe and impose its totalitarian ideology, faced a defeat that left not just the country shattered, but the entire world in shock. The aftermath of defeat in war is often a cruel reckoning; for Germany, it was the humiliation of occupation, the disgrace of reparations, and the division of their land, which created an iron curtain that would divide the country for nearly five decades. This was the cost of defeat—a fate that was far more destructive than the war itself. The loss of honor, the sacrifice of ideals, and the rebuilding that came after defeat often leave scars on the land and the spirit that no war could inflict.

Yet, Hemingway’s point is not simply about the pain of defeat, but also the necessity of perseverance once a war is entered. There is a certain nobility in the idea of fighting through to the end, despite the hardships, despite the suffering, and despite the overwhelming odds. To surrender in the face of adversity, Hemingway suggests, is to face consequences far more damaging than those suffered in the heat of battle. Survival, honor, and the restoration of dignity lie not in capitulation, but in the courage to see the conflict through. The spirit of the warrior is not one that succumbs easily but fights to the last to protect what is sacred, whether that be freedom, identity, or life.

The lesson that Hemingway's quote offers is one of resilience, resolve, and action. Once a challenge is set before us—whether in life or in battle—there is no retreat. It is easy to be overwhelmed by fear, to be crushed under the weight of challenges that seem insurmountable. But in those moments, we must recall the truth of war: that in the act of standing firm, of continuing to fight, we preserve our honor and our future. There is no glory in surrender; there is no strength in turning away from our duties and our responsibilities. It is through struggle and perseverance that we not only achieve victory, but we also grow stronger.

In our own lives, we must take this lesson to heart. The wars we face may not be fought with weapons or on battlefields, but they are no less real. Whether it is in our careers, relationships, or the personal challenges we encounter, the spirit of a warrior is needed to persevere. Life often forces us into struggles that seem unwinnable, but it is only through determination, courage, and resolve that we overcome. The greatest battle we fight is within ourselves, against the fears and doubts that try to defeat us. Let us heed Hemingway's wisdom and understand that defeat brings with it consequences far more devastating than the pain we endure in the midst of battle. Stand firm, face your struggles with courage, and know that victory lies not in avoiding battle, but in having the strength to see it through.