He can be poet, but to become completely involved in military activity, in theoretical speculations or mystic ecstasy, would mean to lose himself and thus have nothing to offer in sacrifice.

Finally all efforts have to be judged on the level of action and in the environment of reality and concreteness. Thus it is fitting to terminate this criticism of poetic behavior with the words of a great theoretician of action, for poets too, like generals, must Marshall theories and facts:

"Boldness, directed by a predominating intelligence, is the stamp of the hero! This boldness does not consist in venturing directly against the nature of things, in a downright violation of the law of probability but in the forceful support of the higher calculation which genius, with its instinctive judgment, has run through in lightening speed, and but halfway when it makes the choice. The more boldness lends wings to the mind and insight, so much the higher these will reach in their flight and so much more comprehensive will be the vision, and the more correct the result, but of course only on the assumption that with greater objects greater dreams are associated", Clausewitz: "On War"

ATOM ELEGY

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