Morality Is the Enemy of Peace

The atomic bomb posed a moral dilemma. As with Grace Kelly’s character in High Noon, the Americans chose victory and survival over the moral absolute. America was designed by the founders as a moral undertaking. As such it was offended by what was necessary to the nation. The argument began at the founding. It was decided in the desolate places of

Any plan for peace is apt to be not only futile but dangerous. Like most planning, unless of a mainly material kind, it breaks down through disregard of human nature.

Where the two sides are too evenly matched to offer a reasonable chance of early success to either, the statesman is wise who can learn something from the psychology of strategy. It is an elementary principle of strategy that, if you find your opponent in a strong position costly to force, you should leave him a line of retreat—as the quickest way

Since opposed principles, or ideologies, are irreconcilable, wars fought over principle will be wars of mutual annihilation. But wars fought for simple greed will be far less destructive, because the aggressor will be careful not to destroy what he is fighting to capture.