"Once blood is shed in a national quarrel reason and right are swept aside by the rage of angry men"

War often begins with a dispute over principles, territory, or justice, and before violence erupts, leaders and citizens might uphold ideals such as reason, dialogue, and moral righteousness. However, as soon as blood is shed, once violence leads to real loss and pain, the rational foundations of a conflict give way to the overwhelming force of emotion. David Lloyd George encapsulates the idea that the intellectual justifications for war become irrelevant in the face of suffering and retribution. Rather than considering the true cause or the original grievances that sparked a conflict, participants and entire societies are consumed by anger, grief, and a thirst for vengeance.

As casualties mount, each side entrenches itself in its position, often demonizing the opposition and justifying escalation, making compromise nearly impossible. Individuals caught in the conflict may lose sight of what was being argued or fought for and instead become driven by the immediate emotional response to violence. Rational debate and appeals to justice become drowned out, rendered powerless by the sheer force of collective rage. Even political leaders, who might have entered war with clear objectives, can find themselves unable to restrain or redirect public sentiment once it is inflamed by bloodshed.

Societal mechanisms of restraint, such as law, diplomacy, or ethical considerations, often fail when faced with intense emotional reactions. War's violence creates cycles of retaliation, with each act of aggression provoking a fiercer and more unreasoning counterattack. This dynamic helps to explain the brutality and extension of conflicts far beyond their initial causes, as rational settlement becomes secondary to satisfying the outrage unleashed. The statement stands as a warning about the transformation wrought by war: emotions unchecked by reason will dictate both actions and policies, often leading to prolonged suffering and the loss of higher ideals.