The goal
toward which all history tends is peace, not peace through the medium of war,
not peace through a process of universal intimidation, not peace through a
program of mutual impoverishment, not peace by any means that leaves the world
too weak or too frightened to go on fighting, but peace pure and simple based on
that will to peace which has animated the overwhelming majority of mankind
through countless ages. This will to peace does not arise out of a cowardly
desire to preserve one's life and property, but out of conviction that the
fullest development of the highest powers of men can be achieved only in a world
of peace.
-- Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899-1977)
Robert
Maynard Hutchins was President of Chicago University and founder of the Center
for the Study of Democratic Institutions, a think tank of scholars dedicated to
exploring many issues related to creating a better world - freedom,
international order, ecological issues, human rights and the rights of women and
minorities.