Tolkien has the right idea

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The lady looks a little bit like my girlfriend. And she's getting more comfortable around guns, so one day I may be able to get a photo of her wearing one.
 
`For myself,' said Faramir, 'I would see the White Tree in flower again in the courts of the kings, and the Silver Crown return, and Minas Tirith in peace: Minas Anor again as of old, full of light, high and fair, beautiful as a queen among other queens: not a mistress of many slaves, nay, not even a kind mistress of willing slaves. 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: the city of the Men of Númenor; and I would have her loved for her memory, her ancientry, her beauty, and her present wisdom. Not feared, save as men may fear the dignity of a man, old and wise.
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Tolkein had the sense of perspective which many lack. He loved life, peace and the hearth and home. War and weapons were an unpleasant and evil means to a good end. The evil they prevented might be greater than the evil they caused, but killing was bad, nevertheless.

Sure, weaponcraft is one of many important skills. Well made tools have their own beauty, and facility with them is rewarding in the fashion of any endeavor that requires hard work. The author, veteran of combat in Hell, understood that these things are infinitely less important than pursuits which create, which build and foster life. If they are seen as ends in themselves and a man loses sight of what he is trying to defend, then he is in moral peril and probably needs to reconsider his direction.

The child in the cradle is the only justification for the sword that hangs over the mantle.
 
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