Joseph Heller's "Closing Time" explores the contrasting costs of war and peace. The quote highlights that while resources are readily allocated for conflict, maintaining peace often requires a more significant investment. This observation raises questions about societal values and priorities, as governments tend to find the means for warfare more easily than for diplomacy and harmony.

The idea that peace is deemed 'expensive' reflects a harsh truth about human nature and societal structures. Heller's work encourages readers to consider the implications of these choices, prompting a deeper reflection on the true cost of conflict versus the effort needed to cultivate and sustain peaceful coexistence.