As far as the general future and development of humanity is concerned,
and apart from any mere consideration of current politics, Fascism
above all does not believe either in the possibility or utility of
universal peace. It therefore rejects the pacifism which masks
surrender and cowardice. War alone brings all human energies to their
highest tension and sets a seal of nobility on the peoples who have
the virtue to face it. All other tests are but substitutes which never
make a man face himself in the alternative of life or death. A
doctrine which has its starting-point at the prejudicial postulate of
peace is therefore extraneous to Fascism.
In the same way all international creations (which, as history
demonstrates, can be blown to the winds when sentimental, ideal and
practical elements storm the heart of a people) are also extraneous to
the spirit of Fascism--even if such international creations are
accepted for whatever utility they may have in any determined
political situation.
Fascism also transports this anti-pacifist spirit into the life of
individuals. The proud _squadrista_ motto "_me ne frego_" ("I don't
give a damn") scrawled on the bandages of the wounded is an act of
philosophy--not only stoic. It is a summary of a doctrine not only
political: it is an education in strife and an acceptance of the risks
which it carried: it is a new style of Italian life. It is thus that
the Fascist loves and accepts life, ignores and disdains suicide;
understands life as a duty, a lifting up, a conquest; something to be
filled in and sustained on a high plane; a thing that has to be lived
through for its own sake, but above all for the sake of others near
and far, present and future.