Old Man, Lun-Wa Quotes in Battle Hymn (1957)

Old Man, Lun-Wa: But, Colonel, you seem troubled.

Col. Dean Hess: There's nothing so terrible as war. I killed today.

Old Man, Lun-Wa: Yes, war is evil. I see what is in your heart. Colonel, may a poor, old carver of ivory babble for a moment? Understand that this is no more than babble and may not have more worth than a handful of sand. In times like these can a man of good conscience ask others, 'Protect me, kill for me, but do not ask me to stain my hands?' What must one do when a choice between two evils is all that is offered? To accept the lesser can sometimes be the only choice. In order to save at times we must destroy and in destructiom creates new life.

Col. Dean Hess: Is that the answer?

Old Man, Lun-Wa: The true answer, Colonel, is not in my babble... 'tis in the Book - 'Oh, Lord, though hast seen my wrong. Judge now my cause.'

Col. Dean Hess: Who are you?

Old Man, Lun-Wa: Just a very old man anxious to get back to his stall in Pusan.

Col. Dean Hess: We're hoping to get to Cheju=do, but it seems almost impossible.

Old Man, Lun-Wa: The difference between the impossible and the possible is the measure of a man's will.