Washington (CNN) Loving your enemies is one of Jesus' most famous teachings, mentioned in his Sermon on the Mount just after he tells followers to turn the other cheek.

So it wasn't surprising to hear Arthur Brooks, the keynote speaker at Thursday's National Prayer Breakfast , draw on that teaching.

Brooks, a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, is also author of a book called "Love Your Enemies," in which he writes about how we "increasingly view people who disagree with us not as merely incorrect or misguided, but as worthless."

"Some people say we need more civility and tolerance. I say, nonsense," Brooks said at the prayer breakfast. "Why? Because civility and tolerance are a low standard. Jesus didn't say, 'tolerate your enemies.' He said, 'love your enemies.' Answer hatred with love."

Brooks said he hoped his remarks would be a moment of healing for the country after the divisive House impeachment and Senate acquittal of President Trump.

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