"War... is harmful, not only to the conquered but to the conqueror"

War, often glorified by those who seek power or view it as a means of asserting dominance, exacts a heavy toll on all involved. The notion that war damages only the defeated is a profound misconception. Ludwig von Mises highlights the dual-edged consequences of conflict, its destruction indiscriminately affects both sides, regardless of the outcome. For the conquered, the devastation is immediate and obvious. Lives are lost, lands are ravaged, economies collapse, and communities are uprooted. Societal structures face obliteration, and an enduring sense of loss and trauma overshadows generations. The vanquished bear the visible scars of warfare: destitution, subjugation, and a vanquished spirit struggling to recover.

Yet, the conqueror, despite emerging victorious on the battlefield, is not immune to harm. Militaristic triumph often ushers in its own brand of suffering. The costs of war, resources expended, lives lost, and the moral weight of inflicting suffering, linger long after the banners of victory have been unfurled. Victors must grapple with the burden of occupation, the challenge of maintaining control, and the risk of insurrection. The poison of war, mistrust, hatred, and cycles of vengeance, rarely distinguishes between winning and losing camps. Economically, even the strongest nations may find themselves weakened by the immense demands of mobilizing for and sustaining armed conflict. Socially and culturally, the glorification of violence and erosion of ethical standards further corrode the spirit of the “conqueror.”

Furthermore, the psychological impact reverberates on both sides. Those who fight and survive carry with them deep emotional wounds, making peace elusive. Ultimately, war disrupts the fabric of all societies trapped in its grasp, voiding the notion that conquest brings genuine benefit. Instead, it perpetuates cycles of insecurity, impoverishment, and human suffering, ensuring harm is the common inheritance of both the vanquished and the victorious. Mises’s observation serves as a clear admonition: the pursuit of dominion through violence is an exercise in mutual destruction, undermining stability and prosperity for all.