In response to those who argue that humankind inherently evil, and to strive for no war is inherently foolish:
“To let go the requirements of the ideal means not only to diminish the possibility of perfection, but to make an end of the ideal itself. The ideal that has power over men is not an ideal invented by someone, but the ideal that every man carries within his soul. Only this ideal of complete infinite perfection has power over men, and stimulates them to action. A moderate perfection loses its power of influencing men’s hearts.”
-Christian Pacifist Leo Tolstoy, “The Kingdom of God is Within You”, 1894.