Strange, seems to me he's talking about wars in defence of a country, and that it might be better to surrender and hope for mercy rather than risk getting everyone killed trying to defend them.

Personally, I think it'd be pretty stupid to start a war where there wasn't a good chance of winning. It's called "asking for it". Plus there's that whole making sure the good done will outweigh the evil done to both sides that you seemed to ignore. That might count for something.

Overall I gather he's saying "Don't Fight." Does "Won't Fight" = "Coward?" Sure, in the schoolyard.