“It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be.” In this article, we’ll explain the meaning behind this quote, as well as its deeper implication.
The Origin of the Quote
The quote is from the novel “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy. It is spoken by the character known as “the judge,” who is a larger-than-life figure that serves as a symbol of violence and destruction.
In the novel, the judge is a complex character who embodies many of the themes that McCarthy explores throughout the book. He is a philosopher, a musician, a soldier, and a murderer. He is both brilliant and brutal, and his views on war are among the most memorable passages in the novel.
Exploring the Meaning of the Quote
The quote suggests that war is an eternal part of human existence. It has always been with us and always will be. It is as inevitable as the passage of time or the movement of the stars.
The judge goes on to say that war is like a trade that is always waiting for its ultimate practitioner. This suggests that there will always be people who are willing to engage in war, no matter what the cost. It is a grim and sobering thought, but it is one that is difficult to dispute.
At its core, the quote is a reflection on the nature of human violence. It suggests that war is not a product of any particular political ideology or social system. It is not something that can be eliminated by creating a perfect society or by eliminating all of our enemies. Instead, it is a fundamental part of the human condition.
This view of war is not unique to McCarthy’s novel. Many philosophers and thinkers throughout history have argued that war is an inevitable part of human existence. From the ancient Greeks to the modern era, war has been a constant presence in our lives. It has shaped our cultures, our politics, and our values in countless ways.
Further Analysis of the Quote
The Persistence of War
One of the key themes of the quote is the persistence of war throughout human history. The judge suggests that war was always here, waiting for us. This implies that war is not something that we created or invented, but rather something that we inherited from our ancestors.
This view of war is supported by the archaeological record. The remains of ancient civilizations often show signs of violent conflict, from the siege of Troy to the battles of the Roman Empire. It is clear that war has been a part of human life for thousands of years.
The Ultimate Practitioner
The judge’s description of war as a trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner is particularly striking. This suggests that there is a certain type of person who is uniquely suited to engage in war. It is not just a matter of physical strength or military training, but rather a kind of psychological or spiritual readiness.
This idea is explored in greater depth in the novel. The judge is depicted as a larger-than-life figure who embodies many of the qualities that are necessary for successful warfare. He is intelligent, charismatic, and ruthless. He is also able to rationalize his actions in a way that makes them seem inevitable and even necessary.
The Inevitability of Violence
At its core, the quote is a reflection on the inevitability of violence in human society. The judge suggests that war is always waiting for us because it is a part of who we are. It is a reflection of our desires, our fears, and our instincts. As such, it is not something that can be eliminated by changing our political or economic systems. It is a part of us, and it will always be with us.
This view of war is a sobering one, but it is also one that is difficult to dispute. The history of human civilization is filled with examples of violence and conflict, from the wars of ancient Greece to the conflicts of the modern era. Despite our best efforts to create a more peaceful and just world, war persists.
The Implications of the Quote
The quote has a number of important implications for our understanding of war and violence in human society. Perhaps the most important of these is that war is not a product of any particular political ideology or social system. It is not something that can be eliminated by creating a perfect society or by eliminating all of our enemies. Instead, it is a fundamental part of the human condition.
This understanding of war has important implications for our efforts to create a more peaceful world. If war is a part of who we are, then it is unlikely that we will ever be able to eliminate it entirely. However, this does not mean that we should give up on our efforts to reduce violence and conflict. Rather, it suggests that we need to approach these problems with a sense of humility and realism.
Another important implication of the quote is that war is not just a physical phenomenon, but also a psychological and spiritual one. The judge suggests that there is a certain type of person who is uniquely suited to engage in war. This implies that there is something deeply ingrained in the human psyche that makes us capable of violence and destruction.
This understanding of war has important implications for our understanding of human nature. It suggests that we are not inherently peaceful creatures, but rather that we have the capacity for great violence and destruction. This is a sobering thought, but it is one that is necessary if we are to create a more peaceful and just world.
Conclusion
The quote “It makes no difference what men think of war, said the judge. War endures. As well ask men what they think of stone. War was always here. Before man was, war waited for him. The ultimate trade awaiting its ultimate practitioner. That is the way it was and will be” is a powerful reflection on the nature of war and violence in human society. It suggests that war is not a product of any particular political ideology or social system, but rather a fundamental part of the human condition.
At its core, the quote is a sobering reminder of the persistence of violence in human society. Despite our best efforts to create a more peaceful and just world, war endures. However, this does not mean that we should give up on our efforts to reduce violence and conflict. Rather, it suggests that we need to approach these problems with a sense of humility and realism.
Ultimately, the quote challenges us to think deeply about the nature of human violence and what we can do to create a more peaceful and just world.
