Pax Cross

Peace is one of humanity's highest values, yet we seem so willing to dispense with it.

"The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war." (Desiderius Erasmus, Adagio)

"I prefer the most unjust peace to the justest war that was ever waged." (Cicero, Letters to Atticus)

Pax is Latin, meaning 'peace' and often seen with other peace symbols, such as the dove or olive branch.

It's sad that just after September 11, 2001, people in power forgot the words of American founder Benjamin Franklin, who wrote a letter to Josiah Quincy on the same day, September 11, 1773: "There never was a good war or a bad peace."

"Peace" means different things to different people.

But we all know that as a suspension of hostilities, peace is just a temporary situation. Peace with God, however, is perpetual. Having peace with God includes following all the Commandments – where there is true peace, there is virtue. Doing what God bids, and not doing what God forbids, gives us true peace.

Pax.

For other peace symbols, see Dove Cross and Broken Cross.