对战乱的看法

　　    Generally, war is repugnant, but peace is welcome. While peace is the ultimate goal of all of our undertaking in this world, war has been inevitable in the course of human civilization. Does man have an innate taste for war? Or is it just an acquired scheme learned from human society? We only know that there hasn't been any period in the history during which the world was really at peace. Human beings pursue peace and prosperity through the establishment of families, communities, and nations. Why should we let all these be destroyed by wars?

　　    To reduce the possibility of war to the lowest extent, I have two suggestions. First of all, education should be consolidated to eliminate the brutality and beastliness in human nature. Knowledge derives from education and is a surer road to wisdom. Wisdom enables us to distinguish right from wrong. I also teaches us restraint and tolerance, two effective means of preventing wayward killing and destruction. Another cure is religion. Most religions in the world advocate philanthropism and forgiveness, which dissolve hatred and revenge. Consequently, education and religion working side by side can transform a barbarian into a civilized person. With wisdom and love, the human race as a whole will detest war and embrace peace.

　　    一般而言，战争令人憎恶而和平受人欢迎，虽然和平是我们在世界上一切作为的终极目标，战争在人类文明的过程中，始终无法避免。人类是天生喜好战争，还是后天在人类社会中习得技俩？我们只知道，在历史上从来没有一段时期世界是真正处于和平状态。人类透过家庭、社会，以及国家的建构来追求和平与繁荣，又怎么能让这一切被战争所摧毁呢？

　　    要将战争的可能性降至最低程度，个人有两点建议。首先，必须落实教育，以去除人性中的残酷与兽性；知识源于教育，同时也是通往智能较稳当的一条路。智能使人明辨是非，亦教导人自制与容忍，自制与容忍乃防止任意杀戮和破坏的两条有效途径。另一帖良方是宗教；世界上大部分的宗教主张博爱与宽恕，而博爱与宽恕可化解仇恨和报复。因此，教育和宗教相辅相成，能够将野蛮人蜕变为文明人。有了智能和爱，全体人类定当厌恶战争、拥抱和平。