One to destroy, is murder by the law and gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe to murder thousands, takes a specious name, 'War's glorious art', and gives immortal fame.

Summary

This quote criticizes the paradoxical nature of society's acceptance of certain acts of killing. It highlights how when the law permits and executes punishment through methods like gibbets, it instills fear and reverence in people. However, the quote also condemns the massive scale of killing in war, disguised as patriotism or glorified through titles like 'War's glorious art', which ultimately brings everlasting fame to those involved. It questions the moral inconsistency in enthusiastically condemning one act of killing while valorizing another, showing the thin line between justice and violence.

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