The only real thing they accomplish that I can see is to make men feel a little more secure in their consciences about doing evil.

-More, SirThomas
  Of preachers. Utopia (English translation1556), bk.1.

We the Peoples of the United Nations, determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, whichtwice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to 873 mankind, and to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignityand worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends, to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one anotherasgood neighbours, and tounite our strengthto maintain international peace and security, and to ensure by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims.

-United Nations Charter
  26 Jun.

For what we cannot accomplish, what is denied to love, what we have lost in the anticipationö a descent follows, endless and indestructible.

-Williams,William Carlos
  Paterson, bk.2,'Sunday in the Park',1.