Summary
This quote implies that the presence of an army can divert resources and energy away from the productive pursuits of a nation. Instead of focusing on economic development, innovation, and improvement of people's lives, the resources are redirected towards military expenditures, training, and warfare. It suggests that the existence of an army can be seen as a drain on a nation's potential progress and highlights the trade-off between investing in military capabilities versus investing in other areas that contribute to societal advancement.