But it is a law of life and development in history that where two national civilizations meet they fight for ascendancy. If it were possible for members of different nationalities, with different language and customs, and an intellectual life of a different kind, to live side by side in one and the same state, without succumbing to the temptation of each trying to force his own nationality on the other, things would look a good deal more peaceful.Robert Browning, Luria, Act II, line 354.He who did well in war just earns the right.Omar Bradley, Armistice Day speech (11 November 1948), published in Omar Bradley's Collected Writings, Volume 1 (1967).If we continue to develop our technology without wisdom or prudence, our servant may prove to be our executioner. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. The world has achieved brilliance without conscience. We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected the Sermon on the Mount. We have men of science, too few men of God.Jean de Bloch, The Future of War, trans.War, it would appear, is a normal attribute to human life. Considered thus, the history of the lives of peoples presents a picture of uninterrupted struggle. to the year 1861 of our era, that is, in a cycle of 3357 years, were but 227 years of peace and 3130 years of war: in other words, were thirteen years of war for every year of peace. An analysis of the history of mankind shows that from the year 1496 B.C.Wendell Berry, Citizenship Papers (2003).If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.Wendell Berry, "A Statement against the War in Vietnam", The Long-Legged House (1969).Far from making peace, wars invariably serve as classrooms and laboratories where men and techniques and states of mind are prepared for the next war. To make peace only with your friends is to avoid the issue, and to permit a great principle to become absurd. To have peace you must make peace with your enemy. Wars have never made peace or preserved it or fostered its ideals. Heath, eds., The Works of Francis Bacon, vol.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |