War is regarded as inhuman, something to be avoided if possible. Nevertheless, knowing that they must expect involvement in military conflicts at times, they make careful preparations and have devised a method for conducting campaigns that has served them well. Also, their method of treating a defeated enemy with clemency has proved effective.
Religion. There is not a single religion throughout the nation, but a considerable variety of doctrines is permitted. There is uniformity in the belief in immortality, and, as a consequence of this, they have developed a cheerful attitude toward the approach of death. They regard atheists askance and refuse to let them hold office.
They have persons whose dedication to a life of service and sacrifice corresponds to the religious orders in the Christian church. Their priests are men of exceptional character and dignity. Their churches are large and very beautiful. The services are interdenominational in character.
When Hythloday and his companions instructed the Utopians in the teachings of Christianity, many of them became converts and were baptized.
Peroration. In a short passage, Hythloday sums up his views on the Utopian system, declaring it to be the best and only true commonwealth. It insures justice for all of its citizens, and because there is no private property, everybody owns a share in everything. The result is a nation of happy people, and the chief causes of dissension in other nations are avoided: greed, theft, social classes, party factions, and even murder. All other governments are viewed as conspiracies of the rich to keep the common people in subjection.
Conclusion. At the conclusion of Hythloday's discourse, More offers some remarks of his own indicating that he was not wholly converted to the Utopian system but that he regarded some of its features as meritorious and wished they might be adopted in Europe.
