Georg Schwarzenberger’s examination of the ‘standard of civilization’ is one of the most prominent aspects of his theory of International Relations. It is connected to his account of the role of power in international society and its influence on international law, and offers a nuanced perspective of the role of civilization in international society. Rather than dismiss international law as something that is purely begotten to national interests, Schwarzenberger depicts it as something that can, under the right conditions, can rise above them. At the same time, he accounts for the role of power and politics within it. This paper re-discovers Schwarzenberger’s analysis of the standard of civilization. Through a detailed examination of his works, it unveils the ethical and moral aspects of his realist theory and works, which challenge the conventional portrayal of realism as a theory devoid of ethics. This paper also engages with Schwarzenberger’s account of this concept and highlights its contemporary relevance. It does this through a joint analysis of the literature that has arisen following the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war concerning arms control and disarmament, which exemplify the nuances of Schwarzenberger’s conceptualization of the standard of civilization. In doing this, the paper reveals the joint and often conflicting roles of ethics, morality, and power on international law. The paper concludes by asking whether there can be a scope for law in a sphere as permeated by power as international society. It highlights how Schwarzenberger’s reading of the standard of civilization reveals its paradoxical nature, whereby the necessities of war are a facet of state sovereignty whilst the laws of humanity being linked to the standard of civilization. In doing this, the paper argues for the necessity of paying attention to both rather than one or the other.