My all time favorite is from Lawrence of Arabia — which may not be considered by many a true “war movie.”

David Lean and Peter O’Toole almost always capture top billing for directing and acting — but the writing (Robert Bolt and Michael Wilson) is equally brilliant — including this gem as the fighting between the Arabs (w/ British support) and Turks is winding down.

The lines are delivered with the age, wisdom and grace of a King — captured perfectly by Sir Alec Guiness (as King Faisal):

There’s nothing further here for a warrior. We drive bargains. Old men’s work. Young men make wars, and the virtues of war are the virtues of young men. Courage and hope for the future. Then old men make the peace. And the vices of peace are the vices of old men. Mistrust and caution. It must be so.

The lines stuck with me. Partly because I’ve seen LoA so many times, but also because of it’s sheer wisdom on the vacillating arc of war — and warriors — and peacemakers. Throughout all of history — even now.