FROM The World at the Cross Roads by Boris Brasol (Hutchinson, 1921):

There can be no compromise with the Attilas of the Twentieth Century. To compromise is to surrender. It is only the coward who surrenders in face of impending danger. There is no other issue than to accept the challenge. The strategic plan of the enemy is known. There is no mystery about it. This plan itself predetermines the measures of defense to be adopted by those who are attacked. The enemy preaches class hatred. The answer to this challenge is cooperation between the classes. The enemy strives for economic destruction, which must be counteracted by economic construction. The enemy seeks to undermine religious faith. Accordingly, the consolidation of religious faith and the fight against atheism must be urged. The enemy spreads the plague of internationalism. There is no other way to combat this plague than by giving support to the national ideal and national tradition. The enemy appeals to the ignorant. He uses the ignorance of the masses as a means of throwing them under his control. Ignorance can and must be combated by education. The enemy is trying to dissolve the family because it is the nucleus of the present social order. There is probably no task more urgent to-day than the protection of the family and its stabilization. The enemy has declared war on art and beauty, and accordingly, it has become the duty of the enlightened part of humanity to cultivate art and beauty, to disarm brutality by aesthetics, to bring nearer to the masses the immortal creations of genius. Such are the lines of defense, such are the tactics.

Destruction is easier than construction. Therefore, it is an idle thing to sit and meditate, seeking consolation in the loose-minded formula that “After all, everything will turn out all right.” Everything will go wrong if we try to combat an iron fist with a velvet glove. Where the enemy doubles his efforts, it must be our duty to treble ours. Priceless are the achievements of civilization. Priceless must be the sacrifice for its protection. Sublime honesty, refined intelligence, wealth and organization must be brought together for arresting the spread of international Bolshevism and world revolution.

Only after the danger has been overcome will humanity have the right to rest and once more people will have the privilege of relaxing, of
devoting their leisure hours to poetical dreams, which blend in harmony with sweet melodies, with the dying colors of an evening sky, and soft murmurs of a happy life.

pp. 401-402

— Comments —

Dianne writes:

Funny, it seems he wrote a book in support of Oscar Wilde.

Laura writes: 

Thanks. I don’t know much about him. I liked what he said in this quote.

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