Civilisation at the Cross Roads — Page 15
humane as possible. Fighting must be confined to comba. lant, Women, child1en, old men, priests and those dedicated to the service of society must uot be molested. Cruel and barbarous practices must be eschewed, even if they are resorted to by the enemy. Fighting must be brought to a. close as speedily as pessible. The object should be to restore conditions of peace, security, justice and freedom of conscience and not to crush the enemy. (Vlll: 40) If at any time in the course of the fightir)g the enemy should be inclined towards a truce, the opportunity should be embraced to put an end to the fighting. . . If they incline towards Peace, incline thou also towards it and put thy trust in God. Surely it is He Who is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. If they intend to deceive thee, then surely God is sufficient for thee". (VIII : 62-611) Should punitive action become necessary, It snould be limited to the degree of wrong suffered and should not go beyond it. but if the wrong is suffered in patience, that is better. "Should you have to retaliate, then confine your retaliation to the extent of the wrong suffered, but if you are patient, that is best. Endure thou with patience, verily patience is possible only with the help of God. Grieve not for thy opponents, nor feel distressed because of their plots. Verily God is with the righteous and the doers of good". {XVI : 127-129) Should hostilities break out between two peoples it is the duty of all the others to take combined acri,m to bring about a peaceful settlement of the dispute between them. Should one of the parties be guilty of transgression, all must combine to fight it, till the guilty party is prepared to accept a just settlement of the original dispute. Peace should then be made between them on tM baaia of justice and equity. (XLIX : 10) This is a brief summary of the principles whicJa would afford protection against the abuse or misuse of nuclear, atomic or any other kind of power and \tould confine their use tu peaceful and beneficent purposes. 'fo the degree to which these principles al'e accepted and put into effect, we shall get rid of our fears and anxieties and. develop a sense of security devoting ourselv~s to progress and the promotion of human welfare. We do not need to suffer any despondency that guidance adequate to 15