Charles Albert Gobat quotes

Charles Albert Gobat was a Swiss lawyer, educator, and politician known for his advocacy of peace. A prominent figure in international diplomacy, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1902. He dedicated his life to promoting international cooperation and the resolution of conflicts through dialogue. Here are 6 of his quotes:

Compulsory arbitration is a practical instrument of pacification and, as such, it can and should be enacted by the Hague Conference.

Charles Albert Gobat

If we examine the Hague Convention carefully, we see that it considers the offer of good offices a duty of every nation. In other words, such offers should be made whenever a dispute becomes critical and threatens to explode into war.

Charles Albert Gobat

Ordinary citizens are obliged and, if need be, compelled by force to meet their commitments. But let higher obligations of an international order be involved, and governments repudiate them, more often than not with a disdainful shrug of the shoulders.

Charles Albert Gobat

It is highly probable that in most cases, war could be avoided or ended. For discussions allow passion to subside, and to persuade alienated neighbors, or at least one of them, to listen to the voice of a conciliator is a step in the direction of peace.

Charles Albert Gobat

No government, no head of state, made any attempt to avert or arrest the Boer War.

Charles Albert Gobat