If we justify war, it is because all peoples always justify the traits of which they find themselves possessed, not because war will bear an objective examination of its merits.

Summary

This quote suggests that when people support war, it is not because war itself is objectively justifiable, but rather because they tend to defend the traits or characteristics that they believe they possess. It implies that our biases and subjective viewpoints often influence our justification for engaging in conflicts, instead of assessing the actual merits or moral implications of war. In essence, it highlights the tendency for individuals and societies to rationalize and defend their actions, even in situations that may not objectively warrant it.

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