I won't undertake war until I have tried all the arts and means of peace

I won't undertake war until I have tried all the arts and means of peace

Francois Rabelais, a French Renaissance writer and humanist, is best known for his satirical masterpiece, "Gargantua and Pantagruel." In this work, Rabelais explores themes of education, politics, and society through the adventures of two giants, Gargantua and Pantagruel. One of the key themes that Rabelais addresses in his work is the idea of using peaceful means to resolve conflicts before resorting to war.

The quote, "I won't undertake war until I have tried all the arts and means of peace," reflects Rabelais' belief in the importance of diplomacy and negotiation in resolving disputes. Rabelais was a firm believer in the power of reason and dialogue to bring about peaceful resolutions to conflicts. He believed that war should only be used as a last resort, after all other options had been exhausted.

Rabelais was writing during a time of great political and social upheaval in Europe. The Protestant Reformation was challenging the authority of the Catholic Church, and the continent was embroiled in a series of bloody religious wars. Rabelais saw firsthand the devastating effects of war and violence, and he was deeply troubled by the toll it took on society.