War is too serious a matter to entrust to military men.

"War is too serious a matter to entrust to military men." These words spoken by Georges Clemenceau, the resolute and fearless Prime Minister of France during World War I, carry a profound and uncomfortable truth about the nature of war. Clemenceau, who bore the weight of his nation's suffering, understood that the decision to wage war, to send men into the jaws of death, could not be left solely in the hands of those who would view it through the cold lens of strategy, tactics, and military pride. For war is not merely a contest of arms but a deeply human experience, and those who wage it must always bear in mind the ultimate cost—the lives, the futures, and the very souls of those involved.

O children of the future, take heed of this ancient wisdom: war is not a game of generals and soldiers; it is a tragedy that demands the careful judgment of those who understand its human cost. While military men may be skilled in the ways of battle, they are often too close to the bloodshed, too immersed in the thrill of conquest or defense, to see the true depth of the destruction they unleash. Clemenceau's warning is clear: the decision to go to war should not be based solely on military strategy, but on the wisdom of leaders who understand that the true price of victory is often measured in lives and losses.

Consider, O children, the story of the Peloponnesian War. Athens and Sparta, once united in their fight against the Persians, became bitter enemies. In the heart of the war, Alcibiades, a brilliant but reckless Athenian general, pushed for an aggressive campaign in Sicily, convinced that it would bring great glory to Athens. However, the campaign was a disaster, leading to the loss of thousands of soldiers and the weakening of Athens. Alcibiades, driven by ambition and military glory, failed to see the deeper consequences of his actions—the suffering of the people, the ruin of families, and the devastation of the city itself. This was the danger Clemenceau feared—military men, in their obsession with victory, often fail to grasp the human toll of their decisions.

In more recent history, consider the Vietnam War, a conflict that tragically exemplified the disconnect between military objectives and human realities. The American military, under the leadership of its generals, pursued the war with tactical precision, committed to winning at any cost. But the political leaders who ultimately had to justify the war to the people—leaders like Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon—were blinded by the same military zeal, unwilling to face the moral and ethical consequences of the conflict. Clemenceau's warning was never more evident than in Vietnam: the war escalated under the guidance of military men who failed to understand the human consequences of their strategy, and the nation paid the price in both lives and trust.

The core of Clemenceau’s argument is not an indictment of the military itself but a reminder that war must be understood in a broader context. Victory cannot be the only measure of success; the costs must be weighed, the long-term consequences considered, and the moral implications examined. Clemenceau, a man who had seen his country ravaged by World War I, knew that those who had not endured the pain of battle—the politicians, the philosophers, the thinkers—must carry the responsibility of deciding if war is truly the only path forward. War is too significant, too destructive, to be left to those who see only the battlefield.

Thus, O children, let this be the lesson of Clemenceau's words: in moments of great decision, be cautious, be wise, and remember that war is not just about winning; it is about preserving the future. Those who fight may be brave, but it is those who think, who understand the full scope of human suffering, who are truly capable of guiding a nation through the fog of war. When facing the crises of your own time, whether in the halls of politics or the struggles of personal life, always remember that your decisions, while they may seem tactical or necessary, will leave ripples that affect the lives of many. Think not just of victory, but of the price that must be paid.

So, O children, in all things, remember the wisdom of Clemenceau. Do not approach the great challenges of life with only the eyes of a warrior, but with the understanding of a leader who has seen both the glory and the suffering of battle. Leaders must guide with wisdom, foresight, and compassion, always considering the true consequences of their actions. And as you move forward in your own life, remember that every battle you choose to fight should be undertaken only with the knowledge that the cost of war is always higher than it first appears. Let your decisions be shaped by wisdom, and may you always carry the responsibility of those who have fought, so that you might avoid the same mistakes of the past.