The essential act of war is destruction, not necessarily of human lives, but of the products of human labour. War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking in the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.

Summary

This quote suggests that war serves the purpose of destroying the creations of human labor, not solely limited to human lives. It emphasizes that war aims to dismantle or eliminate resources that could be utilized to provide comfort for the masses, implying that excessive comfort would hinder intellectual growth in the long term. The quote highlights the underlying destructive nature of war and implies that it prevents the advancement of society by wasting resources that could be better used for progress and enlightenment.

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