The Buggers have finally, finally learned that we humans value each and every individual human life... But they've learned this lesson just in time for it to be hopelessly wrong-for we humans do, when the cause is sufficient, spend our own lives. We throw ourselves onto the grenade to save our buddies in the foxhole. We rise out of the trenches and charge the entrenched enemy and die like maggots under a blowtorch. We strap bombs on our bodies and blow ourselves up in the midst of our enemies. We are, when the cause is sufficient, insane.
The quote reveals a profound understanding of human sacrifice and the value placed on individual life, as recognized by the Buggers. They acknowledge that humans cherish each life, yet this realization comes too late, exposing a misunderstanding of the human spirit. The willingness to sacrifice for a greater cause illustrates a unique aspect of humanity's bravado and desperation when faced with overwhelming odds.
The passage emphasizes that humans can exhibit extreme behaviors when driven by a purpose or a cause they deem significant. This willingness to risk or even give one's life is framed as a form of madness that highlights both the nobility and tragedy inherent in such choices. Ultimately, the Buggers' lesson illustrates a fundamental misinterpretation of human value and motivation.