"The question whether the long effort to put an end to war can succeed without another major convulsion challenges not only our minds but our sense of responsibility"

This quote by Emily Greene Balch speaks with the difficulty of ending war without additional violence. It recommends that the job of ending war is a hard one, and that it needs not only intellectual effort, but likewise a sense of obligation. Balch is indicating that it is insufficient to just think of how to end war, however that we must also take obligation for our actions and work towards a tranquil resolution. This quote is a pointer that peace is not something that can be accomplished without effort and devotion. It is a call to action, advising us to take obligation for our actions and work towards a peaceful resolution.