The author shows how we foster all kinds of illusions about war. These illusions serve to prevent us from realizing what the inner significance of war is. In particular we refuse to know anything about our wish for war. This wish relates to a personal war and is an attempt to solve inner conflicts concerning feelings of impotence. The author indicates three areas in which these conflicts usually arise. Finally, he mentions a number of reasons why our wish for war is increasing rather than decreasing and getting more and more painful to realize. This makes it increasingly difficult to face the reality of war and warfare.