17 October 1963
Director Gunnar Jahn
Norges Banks Valuta-kontor
2 vre Slottsgate
Dear Friend:
My wife and I were filled with emotion to receive your kind letter of 14 October,
after great and heartening surprise of the news of 10 October, that I had been awarded
the Nobel Peace Prize. Now I am especially happy to have received your own congratulations,
which are extended to include my wife also – and especially happy to have you say
that you personally do not know anybody who so much deserves getting the Nobel Peace
Prize.
It has been difficult for me to assess my own work in the cause of peace. I have
from time to time wished that I did not need to sacrifice time and effort in the work
for peace, which I might otherwise devote to the activity in which I find so much
pleasure, that of carrying on research in science and medicine. But I have felt, year
after year, that it was my duty to make whatever contribution it was possible for
me to make in the effort to bring reason into the world, to abolish the immorality
of war, and to prevent the destruction of civilization that would be almost inevitable
if a great war were now to break out in the world.
And, during recent years, your friendship has been a source of inspiration to
my wife and me.
We are looking forward with great anticipation to seeing you in Oslo in December.
Sincerely,
Linus Pauling:hpg
