"The root of the evil is not the construction of new, more dreadful weapons. It is the spirit of conquest"

This quote by Ludwig von Mises speaks with the idea that the root of evil is not the physical weapons utilized to wage war, but rather the spirit of conquest that drives individuals to utilize them. He is suggesting that the desire to conquer and dominate is the true source of evil, which the weapons utilized to do so are simply a symptom of this underlying issue. He is likewise suggesting that if we can attend to the spirit of conquest, then we can reduce the amount of violence and destruction caused by war. This quote speaks with the concept that peace and harmony can only be attained if we can address the underlying reasons for conflict, rather than just attempting to control the weapons used to wage war. By understanding the spirit of conquest, we can work to produce a more peaceful and unified world.