Aikido as a peaceful martial art.
As a rule, the aikidoka does not seek to injure the attacker, but rather to guide them into a situation where they can calm down. The aim is thus to give the attacker the chance to see reason and refrain from further attacks.
Nevertheless, an aikidoka has ways of inflicting considerable harm on an attacker.
Some quotes from O-Sensei:
If you are attacked, take your opponent into your heart.
Morihei Ueshiba
True budo, however, is not simply about destroying one’s opponent;
Morihei Ueshiba
it is far better to defeat an attacker mentally, so that he willingly gives up his attack.
The secret of Aikido lies not in how you move your feet, but in how you move your mind. I am not teaching you a martial arts technique; I am teaching you non-violence.
Morihei Ueshiba