There is so much that must be done in a civilized barbarism like

"There is so much that must be done in a civilized barbarism like war." These words, spoken by the trailblazing aviator Amelia Earhart, carry a weight of truth that pierces through the veil of history. Earhart, a woman who defied the boundaries of her time, understood the complex contradictions inherent in the phenomenon of war. Civilized barbarism—a paradox that suggests that even in a world where society has made great strides in culture, reason, and technology, we are still capable of descending into the primal savagery of war. Earhart’s words reflect the profound irony of human conflict: while we may consider ourselves civilized, war strips away our dignity and thrusts us back into a state of barbarism.

O children of the future, hear the ancient wisdom embedded in these words: war, no matter how it is justified, no matter how noble the causes may seem, is an inherently barbaric act. War is the greatest contradiction—the clash of human reason and brutality. Nations, in their quest for power, for survival, or for justice, may dress war in the robes of righteousness, but the reality is a savage battle for dominance, often fought at the expense of human lives. Even in our most civilized moments, we are still capable of barbarism. And those who engage in war, even for noble purposes, must bear the horrors that come with it—horrors that defy all that is good and righteous.

Consider the ancient Roman Empire, which, at the height of its glory, waged war on the barbarian tribes of Europe. While Rome prided itself on its culture, philosophy, and achievements in art and science, it was also a society built on the sword. The Romans viewed themselves as the epitome of civilization, yet their very empire was founded and maintained by the violence of conquest. Their wars of expansion—such as the brutal wars against the Gauls and the Germanic tribes—are remembered not for the glory of Roman victories, but for the barbarism inflicted on the defeated peoples. These conflicts were as much a part of their society as their advancements in engineering and law. This paradox, this tension between civilization and barbarism, is the very nature of war, as Earhart so poignantly observed.

In the modern age, World War I serves as another example of civilized barbarism. On one hand, it was a war driven by complex alliances, ideologies, and politics—a war fought by nations that prided themselves on their cultural achievements. Yet, on the other hand, it was a war that left millions of soldiers maimed or dead, and nations ravaged by trench warfare, chemical weapons, and the horrors of mass destruction. The once great European powers, leaders in art, science, and philosophy, found themselves locked in a barbaric struggle that turned cities into rubble and shattered lives. The civility of civilization was no match for the brutality of war.

Consider, too, the Second World War, a war fought not just for territory, but for the survival of the values of the free world against the tyranny of fascism and oppression. Yet, in the name of defeating evil, countless acts of savagery were committed—bombing campaigns, the Holocaust, and the deployment of atomic bombs. The very tools of war that were created to protect life were used to destroy it. The victory of the Allied powers was a victory built on a mountain of suffering, where the barbarism of one side clashed with the civilization of the other. As Earhart warned, even in our most righteous battles, war remains a barbaric force, one that no amount of civilization can tame.

So, O children, the lesson here is that war, no matter the justification, is a force that challenges the very ideals we hold dear. It is a reflection of human nature at its most primal, where reason is discarded in favor of violence, where civilized nations become embroiled in acts of barbarism. This is not to say that there are no righteous causes to fight for, but to remind you that every battle fought leaves a legacy of suffering. Even in victory, war takes its toll on the soul of a nation, on its people, and on the individuals who carry the scars of conflict.

Thus, O children of the future, let Earhart’s words serve as a guide to you. If you must face the battles of your time—whether they be physical, moral, or intellectual—do so with the knowledge that war is never the answer unless it is the only choice left. And even then, know that you must carry with you the burden of that choice, the knowledge that war, while at times necessary, is a force of destruction and suffering. In your lives, seek to avoid the conflicts that would drag you into the cycle of barbarism. Work for peace, for understanding, and for the preservation of humanity, so that the tragedies of war are never repeated again.

May you, O children, grow in wisdom, in courage, and in compassion, always striving to rise above the temptations of war and to seek solutions that promote the common good, peace, and the dignity of all. Let the spirit of Earhart’s wisdom guide you, as you shape a world that knows no more war and barbarism, but only the highest ideals of civilization and compassion.