War is not the quintessential emergency in which man has to prove himself, as my generation learned at its school desks in the days of the Kaiser rather, peace is the emergency in which we all have to prove ourselves.

Summary

This quote highlights the idea that peace, rather than war, is the true test of mankind's resilience and character. It implies that while war may be seen as a traditional arena for proving oneself, true strength and courage lie in maintaining peace and resolving conflicts peacefully. The quote challenges the conventional belief that war showcases the greatness of individuals, suggesting that achieving and sustaining peace requires greater effort and challenges us to demonstrate our best qualities in times of peace.

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