But is it a good thing?
We prate about our civilisation and humanity, but those of us who do not carry hypocrisy to the length of self-deception know that underneath our starched shirts there lurks the savage, with all his savage instincts untouched.
Occasionally he may be wanted, but we never need fear his dying out.

On the other hand, it seems unwise to over-nourish him.
In favour of the duel, seriously considered, there are many points to be urged.

But the Mensur serves no good purpose whatever.

It is childishness, and the fact of its being a cruel and brutal game makes it none the less childish.

Wounds have no intrinsic value of their own; it is the cause that dignifies them, not their size.