"War is the statesman's game, the priest's delight, the lawyer's jest, the hired assassin's trade"

This quote by Percy Bysshe Shelley is a commentary on the nature of war and how it is seen by different individuals. War is seen as a video game by statesmen, who utilize it as a tool to get power and impact. It gives pleasure for priests, who use it to further their own spiritual agendas. Lawyers view it as a joke, as they are frequently used to validate the actions of those involved in war. Lastly, it is a trade for worked with assassins, who are paid to carry out the violence of war. This quote works as a reminder of the human expense of war, and how it is typically viewed as a tool for those in power, instead of a tragedy for those affected by it.