You must all be aware that modern war is not a mere matter of

Hear the grave words of the general and leader, Chiang Kai-shek, who declared: “You must all be aware that modern war is not a mere matter of military operations. It involves the whole strength and all the resources of the nation. Not only soldiers, but also all citizens without exception, take part.” These words, born in a time of turmoil and fire, carry with them a truth that resounds across the ages: that in times of great trial, the burden of struggle cannot rest upon warriors alone, but must be borne by the people as one body, one soul, one nation.

The meaning is this: in the olden days, battles were fought by armies alone, while the common folk continued their labors with little disturbance. But in the age of modern war, the sword has lengthened its shadow. Factories, fields, schools, and homes all become part of the battlefield. The soldier wields the rifle, but the farmer grows the grain that feeds him, the worker forges the steel for his weapons, the mother raises the spirit of the child who will inherit the struggle. In such a war, the line between soldier and citizen dissolves, for all take part.

History proves this truth with clarity. Consider the fate of Britain during the Second World War. The bombs of the Blitz fell not only upon barracks but upon houses, markets, and churches. The nation endured not because of soldiers alone, but because citizens stood steadfast, refusing to break. Men dug shelters, women worked in factories, children were evacuated to safety, and together the people became a wall stronger than stone. Thus, when Chiang spoke, he echoed the lesson carved in fire upon London’s nights: victory belongs not to the army alone, but to the spirit of the people.

Yet the ancients, too, hinted at this wisdom. In the city-state of Athens, all citizens were expected to contribute to the defense of their polis. Some bore arms, others built ships, others supplied grain, and all were bound together by duty to their homeland. Pericles himself declared that the greatness of Athens lay not only in her warriors, but in her citizens’ willingness to give all for the city. Thus, Chiang’s words are not only modern, but timeless: every person, high or low, man or woman, young or old, carries the weight of their nation’s survival.

The deeper meaning is also spiritual. Chiang reminds us that the strength of a nation lies not merely in weapons, but in unity. The greatest danger is not only the enemy at the gates, but division within. When each citizen believes the struggle belongs to others, the nation weakens. But when all see themselves as part of the struggle, when each heart is aflame with duty, then the nation becomes like an iron mountain that no foe can overcome. Unity is the true weapon of victory.

The lesson for us is clear: even outside the battlefield, life itself is filled with struggles that demand the effort of all. Families, communities, and nations cannot survive if responsibility is left to a few. Every person has a role, whether small or great, and the harmony of their effort is what builds endurance. Do not think, “This is not my concern.” In truth, every concern of the people is your own, for your life is bound to theirs as threads in a single cloth.

Practical actions must follow. In times of crisis, offer your labor, your skills, your voice, your courage. If you cannot fight, then build. If you cannot build, then comfort. If you cannot comfort, then pray and strengthen the hearts of others. In peace as in war, recognize that the greatness of any people rests not on the shoulders of a few, but upon the willingness of all to serve.

So remember this: a sword is strong, but stronger still is the hand that forges it, the soil that feeds it, and the people who believe in the cause for which it is drawn. Not only soldiers, but also all citizens take part. In this lies the true meaning of nationhood: that in times of trial, no one stands apart, but all rise together. And in such unity, even the fiercest storm may be endured, and even the darkest night may give way to dawn.