I pondered all these things, and how men fight and lose the battle, and the thing that they fought for comes about in spite of their defeat, and when it comes turns out not to be what they meant, and other men have to fight for what they meant under another name.

Summary

This quote, by American novelist William Morris, reflects on the futility of fighting and the irony that often follows. It suggests that despite the efforts of men who fight for a cause, they may ultimately lose the battle. However, even in defeat, their desired outcome might still materialize, albeit in an unintended way. Furthermore, the quote highlights the need for subsequent generations to continue the fight, albeit under a different name, in order to achieve the original intention of those who fought before them.

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