An Unmistakable Indicator of Unjust War from John Ruskin

I just read this piercing quote from John Ruskin in Sesame and Lillies, which should arrest the attention of every American citizen:

“…it is entirely capitalists’ wealth which supports unjust wars. Just wars do not need so much money to support them; for most of the men who wage such, wage them gratis; but for an unjust war, men’s bodies and souls have both to be bought; and the best tools of war for them besides, which makes such war costly to the maximum; not so speak of the cost of base fear, and angry suspicion, between nations which have not grace nor honesty enough in all their multitudes to buy an hour’s peace of mind with…

“And, all unjust war being supportable, if not by pillage of the enemy, only by loans from capitalists, these loans are repaid by subsequent taxation of the people, who appear to have no will in the matter, the capitalists’ will being the primary root of the war…”

To see a clear and chilling connection between capitalists and unjust war, watch the illuminating documentary “Why We Fight.”

While you’re at it, read “Truth, Lies, and Afghanistan,” an article by Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis in the Armed Forces Journal.