This phrase encapsulates Cato's unwavering belief that Carthage, a former rival of Rome, was a constant threat that needed to be eliminated. He believed that the city's existence posed a danger to Rome's safety and security, and he relentlessly advocated for its destruction.
While Cato's stance was ultimately successful, as Rome did eventually destroy Carthage in the Third Punic War, his constant repetition of the phrase became a symbol of his rigid and uncompromising nature.