The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress;

O children of the future, gather your hearts and minds to listen to the wisdom of George Washington, a leader who understood deeply the weight of power and the delicate balance of responsibility. He said, "The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure." These words, though spoken centuries ago, carry the weight of timeless truth—a truth about the very nature of power, authority, and the fundamental importance of deliberation before any action of great consequence is taken.

To understand the depth of Washington's insight, we must first reflect on the meaning of authority and responsibility. War is a grave and terrible thing, and its consequences echo through the lives of the living, the dead, and even those who come after. Washington, in his wisdom, understood that such a decision—the decision to go to war—should not be taken lightly, nor by a single individual. The power to declare war, as set forth in the Constitution, lies with Congress, the body that represents the will of the people. This is not merely a matter of politics or legal structure; it is a matter of ethics—the recognition that decisions which lead to destruction, suffering, and loss of life should be made only after careful deliberation, after weighing the cost and the benefit, and with full awareness of the far-reaching consequences.

Consider, O children, the ancient Greek city-states, where war was a common occurrence, but not one undertaken without great debate. In the story of the Peloponnesian War, the Greeks were torn between the city of Athens, a democratic beacon, and Sparta, a militaristic society. Both sides believed their cause was just, but neither side embarked on war without considering the consequences. The Athenians, in their wisdom, often deliberated on matters of war, but their downfall came when they were led astray by the ambition of certain leaders. Pericles, the great leader of Athens, sought to protect Athens through cautious military action, but others, like Alcibiades, pushed for offensive war that led to their ruin. The moral of this story is clear: war must not be waged hastily or out of pride or fear, but with careful reflection and collaboration among those who hold power.

Now, turn your thoughts to more recent times, O children, and consider the Vietnam War, a war that the United States entered without proper deliberation and, ultimately, at great cost. The decision to escalate the war in Vietnam was made not by Congress, as Washington’s words would have required, but by a few individuals in positions of power, driven by their own fears of communism. As the war dragged on, it became clear that the true costs of the war—both in terms of human lives and the moral damage to the United States—were far greater than anyone had anticipated. The lack of proper deliberation and the absence of broader consensus led to a war that was ultimately a tragedy for all involved. The lesson here is not only the danger of war, but the importance of checks and balances, of consultation, and of reason in decisions of such magnitude.

In Washington's time, when the foundations of the United States were being established, he understood that the Constitution was not merely a set of rules, but a safeguard against tyranny, a way to ensure that no one person or group could act recklessly in a way that would harm the nation. By vesting the power of declaring war in Congress, he sought to ensure that such a momentous decision would be made with the consent of the governed, with the full awareness of its consequences. Washington knew that war could not be a matter of individual whim, nor a tool for personal glory or ambition. It must be a decision made by the collective will of the people, through their elected representatives, after full and careful discussion.

So, O children, the lesson for you is clear. War, when it becomes necessary, is never a light decision, nor should it be taken without full deliberation. Never forget that the power to declare war rests not in the hands of a single leader, but in the collective wisdom of the people. In your own lives, when faced with conflict or difficult decisions, remember the importance of reflection, consultation, and understanding. Whether the conflict is between nations, communities, or individuals, take the time to deliberate, to hear different voices, and to weigh the consequences of your actions before acting.

Let your actions be guided not by impulses or the desire for immediate victory, but by the principles of wisdom, restraint, and collective responsibility. Remember Washington's words and the wisdom behind them: that no significant action—especially one that will lead to suffering or destruction—should be taken without the full agreement of those whose lives will be affected. In the end, true leadership is not about power, but about the ability to act wisely, to seek understanding, and to make decisions that are in the best interest of the people, both in times of peace and in times of war.