"That was luck: I should not then have been a conscientious objector; but I am quite sure that the abominations of war would have made me one, as soon as I got to the front"

This quote by Laurence Housman speaks with the power of conscience and the abhorrence of war. Housman recommends that, had it not been for luck, he would have been a diligent objector, meaning he would have refused to combat in the war due to ethical or religious beliefs. He makes certain that, had he been exposed to the horrors of war, he would have been compelled to end up being a diligent objector. This quote speaks to the power of conscience and the capability of individuals to make ethical choices, even in the face of terrific difficulty. It also talks to the abominations of war, which can be so excellent that they can trigger even the most patriotic of people to question their commitment to their nation.