Nice poetry Bob. On a grander scale you reminded me of this quote:
The justest dispositions possible in ourselves, will not secure us against it [war]. It would be necessary that all other nations were just also. Justice indeed, on our part, will save us from those wars which would have been produced by a contrary disposition. But how can we prevent those produced by the wrongs of other nations? By putting ourselves in a condition to punish them. Weakness provokes insult and injury, while a condition to punish often prevents them.
-- Thomas Jefferson
TJ was always willing to listen to advice about the relationships between nations.
Too bad he didn't follow my suggestions on economics.
But then, you know how stubborn redheads can be...