It's so easily started: that's the devil of it.

A mischievous boy can throw a lighted match into a powder magazine, and then it becomes every patriot's business to see that it isn't put out.

I hate war.

It accomplishes nothing, and leaves everything in a greater muddle than it was before.
But if the idea ever catches fire, I shall have to do all I can to fan the conflagration.

Unless I am prepared to be branded as a poltroon.
Every professional soldier is supposed to welcome war.