War: A by-product of the arts of peace.
Interpretation
War emerges as an unintended result of humanity's pursuit of peace.
Ambrose Bierce's quote suggests that the quest for peace can paradoxically lead to conflict and war. This statement provokes thought about the complexities of human society, where efforts to create order and harmony may inadvertently result in chaos and violence, highlighting the intricate relationship between peace and war.
In practice
In a discussion about international relations, one might reference this quote to illustrate the complexity of achieving lasting peace.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
The progress of the world means more enjoyment and more misery too.
How happy the station which every moment furnishes opportunities of doing good to thousands! How dangerous that which every moment exposes to the injuring of millions!
Why didst thou promise such a beauteous day And make me travel forth without my cloak, To let base clouds o'ertake me in my way, Hiding they brav'ry in their rotten smoke?
The gift of darkness draws you to know Godβs presence beyond what thought, imagination, or sensory feeling can comprehend.
Is it not certain that the Creator yawns in earthquake and thunder and other popular displays, but toils in rounding the delicate spiral of a shell? -Yeats, The Trembling of the Veil
There are no innocent bystanders ... what are they doing there in the first place?
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