The Moon is Down

by John Steinbeck

The people are confused now. They have lived at peace so long that they do not quite believe in war.

“Defeat is a momentary thing. A defeat doesn’t last. We were defeated and now we attack. Defeat means nothing. Can’t you understand that?

Lanser looked at him and smiled a little sadly. “We have taken on a job, haven’t we?” “Yes,” said the Mayor, “the one impossible job in the world, the one thing that can’t be done.” “And that is?” “To break man’s spirit permanently.”

Free men cannot start a war, but once it is started, they can fight on in defeat. Herd men, followers of a leader, cannot do that, and so it is always the herd men who win battles and the free men who win wars. You will find that is so, sir.”