Note 167 — IV Summary—Predictions

I am not to say whether the claims of France after her victory might have been impolitic, for the thinkers I am discussing here only speak of what they consider their immorality. Notice that the pacifism of the Church, at least among the great teachers, is not at all inspired by sentimental considerations, but by pure moral education. ‘What do we condemn in war?’ says Saint Augustin. ‘Is it the fact that they kill men who have all one day to die? Only cowards, not religious men, would bring this accusation against war. What we condemn in war is the desire to do harm, an implacable soul, the fury of reprisals, the passion for dominion.’ (This is taken up by Thomas Aquinas in the Summum, 2, 2, xl, art. 1.)