Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent man will avoid them except in the direst necessity and, if compelled, will use them only with the utmost restraint. Peace is the highest value.… He enters a battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion, as if he were attending a funeral. {ch. 31} That
Huston Smith highlights the perspective that weapons symbolize violence and evoke a sense of horror among morally upright individuals. He argues that a decent person finds no joy in weaponry and tends to shun violence unless faced with unavoidable circumstances. This reinforces the notion that weapons should be associated with caution and restraint rather than aggression.
Furthermore, Smith emphasizes that peace should reign supreme in human values. When a person is forced into conflict, they approach it with solemnity and compassion, akin to mourning a loss. This outlook portrays violence not as a means of glorification but as a grave obligation that should be undertaken with heavy hearts and a focus on the greater goal of peace.
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