To deal with the true causes of war one must begin by recognizing as of prime relevancy to the solution of the problem the familiar fact that civilization is a partial, incomplete, and, to a great extent, superficial modification of barbarism.
Interpretation
Civilization is merely an advanced form of human behavior that still contains underlying primitive instincts.
Elihu Rootβs quote suggests that in order to truly address the root causes of war, one must understand that civilization is not fundamentally different from barbarism; rather, it is an alteration of it. He emphasizes that the complexities of human society can often mask deeper, inherent tendencies towards conflict and primal behavior, which must be acknowledged to find viable solutions to war.
In practice
During a lecture on international relations, one might use this quote to highlight the historical roots of conflict.
The methods of peace propaganda which aim at establishing peace doctrine by argument and by creating a feeling favorable to peace in general seem to fall short of reaching the springs of human action and of dealing with the causes of the conduct which they seek to modify.
It is not uncommon in modern times to see governments straining every nerve to keep the peace, and the people whom they represent, with patriotic enthusiasm and resentment over real or fancied wrongs, urging them forward to war.
The different ness of races, moreover, is no evidence of superiority or of inferiority. This merely indicates that each race has certain gifts which the others do not possess.
Staying true to our goals, Question Bridge as a company and as a project is not singularly about black males. One of the things I'm so excited about Question Bridge is that my vision goes far beyond black males.
The difference between a good life and a bad life is how well you walk through the fire
Man is many things, but he is not rational.
We are so presumptuous that we should like to be known all over the world, even by people who will only come when we are no more. Such is our vanity that the good opinion of half a dozen of the people around us gives us pleasure and satisfaction.
Language is a virus from outer space.
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