Common English, I might perhaps say common civilized thought, ignores it. But history refutes this.
Oriental nations are just the same now.
Since history began they have always been what they are. In solving, or trying to solve, the question, we must take notice of this remarkable difference, and explain it too, or else we may be sure our principles are utterly incomplete, and perhaps altogether unsound. Three laws, or approximate laws, may, I think, be laid down, with only one of which I can deal in this paper, but all three of which it will be best to state, that it may be seen what I am aiming at. Neither of these competitions is in most historic conditions intensified by extrinsic forces, but in some conditions, such as those now prevailing in the most influential part of the world, both are so intensified. The profess of the military art is the most conspicuous, I was about to say the most showy, fact in human history.