A Squire’s Trial

44
- Well, I personally approve of all men getting basic military
training, because should war come home they must know how
to defend their home. But being a warrior is a calling, an inner
nature that is not the destiny of all men. Anyone can be merely
a “soldier”, by virtue of being recruited and given training, but
not anyone can be a warrior – someone whose very nature is
disclosed on the battlefield. Warriors are something more noble
than merely a soldier who has been recruited, regardless of
his character, or has joined the army out of some misguided
notions. War is for warriors, not merchants. As one of the
great warriors said: “Heroic values are not those of the merchant,
for they value not success, but principles.”
- But you, too, obviously wish to succeed.
- We want our principles to succeed – to reign supreme, for
truth to be restored. Not for the sake of personal gain, but because
it is right.
- And how is it that you feel so right? You’ve explained your
views to me with great conviction, and you are very convincing
and make appealing arguments, but don’t you ever doubt
yourself?
- Never. With all you’ve learned now, I am sure that you feel
I am right too. Doubt creeps in only if you don’t know these
things, or if you allow falsehoods to cloud your mind. And one
cannot win if he doubts himself. One of our champions fought
in the Great War, but his country had lost – foremost because
there were people back home, doubting and second guessing
everything, entertaining the notion that their enemy may have
a point – and in doing so, they betrayed their own soldiers and
warriors who fought in the war. He vowed to never let this
happen again. History ultimately decided that he was to fall as
well, but not out of doubt.