"Albert Einstein. The world as I see it (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

But are they not quite right, these watchful citizenesses? Why should
one open one's doors to a person who devours hard-boiled capitalists with as
much appetite and gusto as the Cretan Minotaur in days gone by devoured
luscious Greek maidens, and on top of that is low-down enough to reject
every sort of war, except the unavoidable war with one's own wife? Therefore
give heed to your clever and patriotic women-folk and remember that the
Capitol of mighty Rome was once saved by the cackling of its faithful geese.


II


Politics and Pacifism

Peace

The importance of securing international peace was recognized by the
really great men of former generations. But the technical advances of our
times have turned this ethical postulate into a matter of life and death for
civilized mankind to-day, and made the taking of an active part in the
solution of the problem of peace a moral duty which no conscientious man can
shirk.

One has to realize that the powerful industrial groups concerned in the
manufacture of arms are doing their best in all countries to prevent the
peaceful settlement of international disputes, and that rulers can achieve
this great end only if they are sure of the vigorous support of the majority
of their peoples. In these days of democratic government the fate of the
nations hangs on themselves; each individual must always bear that in mind.

The Pacifist Problem

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am very glad of this opportunity of saying a few words to you about
the problem of pacificism. The course of events in the last few years has
once more shown us how little we are justified in leaving the struggle
against armaments and against the war spirit to the Governments. On the
other hand, the formation of large organizations with a large membership can
of itself bring us very little nearer to our goal. In my opinion, the best
method in this case is the violent one of conscientious objection, with the
aid of organizations for giving moral and material support to the courageous
conscientious objectors in each country. In this way we may succeed in
making the problem of pacificism an acute one, a real struggle which
attracts forceful natures. It is an illegal struggle, but a struggle for
people's real rights against their governments in so far as the latter
demand criminal acts of the citizen.

Many who think themselves good pacifists will jib at this out-and-out