The Complaint of Peace

The Complaint of Peace is a political and philosophical treatise written by Dutch humanist scholar Erasmus in 1517. Peace herself speaks as the narrator, lamenting how humans reject her despite her divine origins and benefits. Peace examines the behaviors and institutions that promote conflict, from interpersonal discord to international warfare. She systematically addresses different segments of society - religious leaders, nobles, scholars, common people - about their roles in creating or preventing harmony. The work takes the form of an extended monologue, with Peace making her case through classical references, Christian theology, and observations of human nature. Her arguments range from practical considerations about the costs of war to moral appeals about brotherhood among nations. This text serves as both a critique of 16th century European politics and a broader meditation on humanity's relationship with conflict and peace. The use of prosopopoeia - Peace as a speaking character - allows Erasmus to explore these themes through an immortal perspective that transcends human limitations.

Readers praise Erasmus's views on the futility of war and his compelling arguments for peace through Christian unity. Many note the text's continued relevance to modern conflicts despite being written in 1517. Several reviews highlight his use of satire and wit to critique religious hypocrisy and warmongering rulers. Common criticisms focus on the repetitive nature of some arguments and dated religious references that may not resonate with secular readers. Some find the writing style dense and difficult to follow in translation. From Goodreads (3.9/5 based on 89 ratings): "His message transcends time" - @historybuff "Important but occasionally tedious" - @bookreader2020 From Amazon (4.2/5 based on 12 reviews): "Clear arguments against war that still apply today" "Translation is sometimes awkward" LibraryThing (4.0/5 based on 31 ratings): Multiple reviewers note its influence on later peace movements and anti-war literature, while acknowledging the text requires patience to fully appreciate.

The Rights of War and Peace by Hugo Grotius This treatise examines the ethics of warfare and advocates for international laws to reduce conflict between nations.

On Perpetual Peace by Immanuel Kant The text presents a philosophical framework for establishing lasting peace between states through constitutional republics and international federation.

The Art of Peace by Morihei Ueshiba The founder of Aikido outlines principles for achieving harmony and resolving conflicts without violence.

War and Peace in Classical Greek Literature by Richard Garnett The book analyzes Greek texts' treatment of war and peace themes, connecting ancient perspectives to modern diplomatic thought.

Peace: A History of Movements and Ideas by David Cortright This work traces peace movements through history and examines the development of nonviolent conflict resolution methods.

🕊️ Written in 1517, this book personifies Peace as a woman who speaks directly to the reader, lamenting humanity's addiction to warfare 📚 Erasmus wrote this work during his time in England, where he was friends with prominent humanists like Thomas More and John Colet ⚔️ The book was published during a time when three Christian monarchs - Henry VIII, Francis I, and Charles V - were engaged in constant warfare despite their shared faith ✍️ The text was revolutionary for its time in arguing that war between Christians was fundamentally incompatible with Christ's teachings of peace and brotherhood 🌍 "The Complaint of Peace" influenced later pacifist movements and was frequently cited during the peace conferences of the early 20th century