"At an expense trifling indeed, compared to what she frequently spends upon unprofitable contests, she might place the moral world on a new foundation, and to rise the pinnacle of moral glory"

John Strachan’s assertion weighs the cost of fostering moral advancement against the expenditures often dedicated to fruitless struggles. Strachan suggests that the material and human resources expended on wars or “unprofitable contests” are immense, while the investment required to effect a transformation in humanity’s moral foundation is relatively modest. The phrase “trifling indeed” carries both a sense of minimal financial burden and a subtle reproach for society’s misplaced priorities. Rather than pouring wealth and effort into conflict, nations or individuals could achieve far greater returns by channeling resources into means that uplift ethical standards and societal virtue.

This vision is imbued with both optimism and critique. Strachan envisions a new moral foundation, an underlying structure of values, laws, or social norms reshaped for the common good. He believes this is achievable, not by grand gestures or overwhelming sacrifice, but by transferring even a fraction of the sums customarily devoted to destructive ends. The “pinnacle of moral glory” stands as the ultimate reward: a society that not only acts ethically but is recognized for its virtue. The word “rise” subtly invites an upward movement, a collective ascent from division and waste toward enlightenment and unity.

Implicit in Strachan’s words is a challenge to those in power, urging reevaluation of national priorities. By contrasting the “expense” of moral improvement with habitual spending on quarrels, he exposes the irrationality of continued investment in endeavors that yield suffering and instability. The quotation is charged with a moral imperative: true greatness and glory are won not on the battlefield, but in the quieter victories of social reform, education, and the pursuit of justice. Investing in these aims, he argues, offers unmatched rewards, both materially, by avoiding the costs of war, and spiritually, through the creation of a more just and honorable civilization.