YALTA,
February 6, 1899.
... Being bored, I am reading “The Book of my Life” by Bishop Porfiry. This
passage about war occurs in it:
“Standing armies in time of peace are locusts devouring the people’s bread
and leaving a vile stench in society, while in time of war they are
artificial fighting machines, and when they grow and develop, farewell to
freedom, security, and national glory! ... They are the lawless defenders
of unjust and partial laws, of privilege and of tyranny.” ...
That was written in the forties....