"It is idle to say that nations can struggle to outdo each other in building armaments and never use them. History demonstrates the contrary, and we have but to go back to the last war to see the appalling effect of nations competing in great armaments"

This quote by Frank B. Kellogg is a warning against the threats of nations contending to develop their weaponries. He argues that history has shown that such competition frequently leads to war, and he points to the disastrous effects of the last war as an example. He is warning versus the idea that countries can develop their armaments without ever using them, as this is clearly not the case. He is promoting for a more tranquil method to global relations, one that does not include the stockpiling of weapons. He is urging nations to work together to avoid war, rather than competing to build up their weaponries.