"Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous"

George Bernard Shaw's quote, "Peace is not only much better than war, however considerably more strenuous", offers a profound commentary on the nature of dispute and consistency. At first glimpse, it might seem obvious that peace is more effective to war. War brings damage, loss, and tremendous human suffering, while peace suggests safety, success, and goodwill. Nevertheless, Shaw challenges the simplified view that peace is simply a passive state of non-conflict. He implies that achieving and preserving peace requires more effort and alertness than the pursuit or endurance of war.

The word "difficult" refers to something that is difficult and requires a good deal of effort. In this context, Shaw recommends that the activities involved in developing and sustaining peace are more difficult than those needed for taking part in war. War often emerges from primal urges such as territorial expansion, resource acquisition, or retaliation, driven by feelings like pride, worry, and anger. These instincts are deeply ingrained, sometimes making the path to war seem direct and all too simple.

On the other hand, peace demands a host of complex and nuanced actions: settlement, compromise, forgiveness, understanding, persistence, and cooperation. It needs people and nations to look beyond instant gains and consider the long-term effect of their actions on mankind's cumulative well-being. Moreover, peace demands resolving underlying issues such as inequality, oppression, and disenfranchisement, which typically sustain conflict.

Shaw's assertion indicate a philosophical and ethical fact: while war can be started suddenly through acts of hostility, peace needs the cultivation of virtues and the unrelenting effort of diplomacy, empathy, and dedication to the typical good. In essence, peace includes ongoing engagement and the uphill struggle of fixing up distinctions without resorting to violence. By highlighting the tough nature of peace, Shaw elevates it as a supreme human venture, worthwhile of the highest commitment and perseverance.