"This bloody past suggests to us that enemies cease hostilities only when they are battered enough to acknowledge that there is no hope in victory - and thus that further resistance means only useless sacrifice"

This quote suggests that enemies will just quit battling when they realize that they can not win. This indicates that they will only stop when they have been battered sufficient to recognize that further resistance will only result in even more losses and suffering. This is a grim reminder of the brutality of battle as well as the expense of victory. It also implies that the only method to end a conflict is to bring upon sufficient damages on the opponent to make them realize that they can not win. This is a stark suggestion of the human price of battle as well as the requirement for a tranquil resolution to conflicts. It also acts as a cautioning to those that would certainly seek to take part in war, as it suggests that the only way to win is to inflict enough damages to make the enemy realize that they can not win.