"Shall we put an end to the human race; or shall mankind renounce war? People will not face this alternative because it is so difficult to abolish war. The abolition of war will demand distasteful limitations of national sovereignty. But what perhaps impedes understanding of the situation more than anything else is that the term "mankind" feels vague and abstract. People scarcely realize in imagination that the danger is to themselves and their children and their grandchildren, and not only to a dimly apprehended humanity....And so they hope that perhaps war may be allowed to continue provided modern weapons are prohibited. This hope is illusionary."

Bertrand Russell. "The Russell-Einstein Manifesto." July 1955.

"Unrestricted nationalism is, in the long run, incompatible with world peace."

Bertrand Russell. "Survival through International Law," Grotius Day Address, Munich, West Germany. August 28, 1957.

"I venture to say that, precious as your time is, you could hardly use it to better effect than to contribute to the resolution of some of the problems which you are to discuss, for upon them depends the future existence of mankind. I believe that the resolution of our present dilemma will be achieved only if we succeed in bringing to bear on common problems an important part of the best creative intelligence of mankind, and that only thus shall we avoid a threatening catastrophe."

Bertrand Russell. "Welcoming Address by Lord Russell," delivered to participants in the Second Pugwash Conference. March 1958.