War involves in its progress such a train of unforeseen

Hearken, O children of the ages, to the sharp and unflinching words of Thomas Paine, who casts his gaze upon the tumultuous realm of war. He teaches that in the unfolding of battle, the mind of man is but a feeble compass, for the train of unforeseen circumstances defies calculation and shatters expectation. Even the wisest cannot divine the end of conflict, for war moves with a force both chaotic and relentless, scattering predictions like leaves before the storm.

Yet Paine observes one certainty amid the chaos: the inexorable rise of taxes. As men clash and nations strain under the burden of conflict, the coffers of the state grow lean, and the weight of sustenance for armies falls upon the shoulders of the people. Thus does the enterprise of war, no matter its cause or glory, touch every hearth and household, binding all in a web of obligation and sacrifice.

Consider the example of the American Revolutionary War, a struggle for freedom whose course was unpredictable and perilous. Colonists faced uncertain alliances, shortages, and battles whose outcomes were never assured. Yet, as Paine foresaw, the demands of war bore down upon the citizens through levies, contributions, and taxes, reminding all that even the noblest pursuits carry burdens upon the many, while the end remains obscured by fate.

Paine’s insight carries a moral weight for rulers and citizens alike. The unpredictability of war warns that ambition, vengeance, or pride must be measured against the toll it extracts. The increase of taxation is a tangible sign that the costs of conflict extend far beyond the battlefield, reaching into the lives of those who neither wield swords nor command armies. Wisdom, he implies, lies in foresight, prudence, and the careful weighing of necessity against consequence.

O children of the future, carry this teaching in your hearts: the fires of war are not merely the clash of arms, but the burden of consequence upon the many. Recognize the unforeseen circumstances that accompany every battle, and heed the certainty of human cost, symbolized by the increase of taxes and obligations. Let prudence guide the hand of leadership, and let the people remember that wisdom is not only in the courage to fight, but in understanding the weight of what is demanded.

If you desire, I can also craft a visual, ancient scroll-style presentation of this passage to illuminate the timeless, evocative, and deeply instructive resonance of Paine’s teaching on war, uncertainty, and human consequence.