" Ideally, how would you like to regard the war, then?’

‘I would like to see it as an incident.’

‘Only an incident?’

‘A very important one; perhaps the most important that has ever occurred. But, still, an incident. Is the real nature of the world changed by it? No. Will it decide, ultimately the major issues of existence? No. Will it rescue us spiritually? Still no. Will it set us free in the crudest sense, that is, merely to be allowed to breathe and eat? I hope so! But I can't be sure that it will. In no essential way is it crucial - if you accept my meaning of essential. Suppose I had a complete vision of life. I would not then be affected essentially. The war can destroy me physically. That it can do. But so can bacteria. I must be concerned with them naturally. I must take account of them. They can obliterate me. But, as long as I am alive, I must follow my destiny in spite of them. "

― Saul Bellow , Dangling Man