War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.

This quote is saying that war is often necessary in order to fight off an enemy who seeks to do harm, but it is not the weapons of war that are celebrated or loved. Instead, the speaker is saying that they love only what these weapons are protecting–which could be people, freedom, or other values and beliefs.