In this essay the author contends that violence is likely to exercise a mysterious, but real, hypnotic power to the point of transforming at times a criminal into some sort of hero. This seems to be true also as far as important social and political movements are concerned. Needless to say, Fascism and Nazism during the middle years of the XX century are revealing examples. Present day terrorism is another telling case pointing to the ambiguous nature of violence. The only alternative to the brutal interruption of interpersonal discourse and human civility is dialogue. At present, nobody can win. One can only convince. Dialogue emerges as the only option for human survival.