“Nothing is more conducive to genuine peace than a sincere desire that comes from the heart.  Those who really favor it make it their duty to promote it at every opportunity.  The obstacles to their endeavor they either circumvent or remove, even though this involves concessions on their part.  Others not of this mind look for causes and excuses for war.  The things that pertain to peace they either make light of or actually conceal.  Whatever seems to promote war they advocate and favor with every assistance.  It shames me to point out the trivial things they exaggerate and the conflagrations they enkindle.  Once the flames of dissent appear, it is amazing the amount of forgotten injuries that are heaped upon it.  So forgotten are the good deeds and blessings of the past that all seem to desire nothing other than war.  How often it is that very insignificant matters of petty rulers are the causes of conflict, their true nature being withheld from the public.  Lacking causes they use false propaganda to stir up the populace, nursing their grievances with all sorts of falsehood for no other purpose than personal gain. …

“Why do you dwell only on those things that embitter the heart?  If you are seriously desirous of peace, let this be your manner of thought.  ‘Although he has offended me in this particular case, nevertheless on other occasions he has been a real friend to me,’ or ‘He did not harm me of his own accord but rather because someone else put him up to it.’  In the case of the dissension between Agamemnon and Achilles the blame was laid at the feet of the goddess Ate.  In these matters where we cannot find a real excuse, then let us blame it on Destiny, an evil god, and let us transfer our anger to this. …

“Nothing is accomplished by confederations, alliances, violence or revenge.  On the other hand, be consciously aware of what placability and benevolence can do.  War incessantly sows war, vengeance seethingly draws vengeance, kindness generously engenders kindness, favors will be abundantly returned by other favors, and he will humbly appear most righteous who, at all times, considers the rights of others first.”

Erasmus, Complaint of Peace (translation John P. Dolan)