In the years that followed, he wrote: “It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles. Then the victory is yours. It cannot be taken from you, not by angels nor by demons, heaven or hell.”

“Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.”

“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.”

“In a controversy, the instant we feel anger, we have already ceased striving for the truth and have begun striving for ourselves.”

So, was he a pacificist? Would he oppose a strong military? It would appear so, particularly if we consider: “Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.”