From The Quotable Mises — surrounding passage

6–7 War can really cause no economic boom, at least not directly, since an increase in wealth never does result from destruction of goods. Nation, State, and Economy , p. 154 Not through war and victory but only through work can a nation create the preconditions for the well-being of its members. Conquering nations finally perish, either because they are annihilated by strong ones or because the ruling class is culturally overwhelmed by the subjugated. Nation, State, and Economy , p. 87

“Economically considered, war and revolution are always bad business.”

Nation, State, and Economy , p. 152 The essence of so-called war prosperity; it enriches some by what it takes from others. It is not rising wealth but a shifting of wealth and income. Nation, State, and Economy , p. 158 There is but one field of public administration in which the criterion of success or failure is unquestionable: the waging of war. But even here the only thing certain is whether the operation has been crowned with success. Liberalism , p.