Thursday Thirteen #50
Quotes From Thirteen* Peace Advocates
- Moshe Dayan (1915-1981)
If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)
Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
- William Gladstone (1809-1898)
We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.
- Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968)
We will not build a peaceful world by following a negative path. It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but on the positive affirmation of peace. We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the discords of war. Somehow, we must transform the dynamics of the world power struggle from the negative nuclear arms race, which no one can win, to a positive contest to harness humanity's creative genius for the purpose of making peace and prosperity a reality for all the nations of the world. In short, we must shift the arms race into a peace race. If we have a will - and determination - to mount such a peace offensive, we will unlock hitherto tightly sealed doors of hope and transform our imminent cosmic elegy into a psalm of creative fulfillment.
- Lao Tzu (570-490 B.C.):
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.
- Jesus
Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
- Federico Mayor
It is a good moment to repeat that a war is never won. Never mind that history books tell us the opposite. The psychological and material costs of war are so high that any triumph is a Pyrrhic victory. Only peace can be won and winning peace means not only avoiding armed conflict but finding ways of eradicating the causes of individual and collective violence: injustice and oppression, ignorance and poverty, intolerance and discrimination. We must construct a new set of values and attitudes to replace the culture of war which, for centuries, has been influencing the course of civilization. Winning peace means the triumph of our pledge to establish, on a democratic basis, a new social framework of tolerance and generosity from which no one will feel excluded.
- A.J. Muste (1885-1967)
There is no way to peace; peace is the way.
- Peace Pilgrim
This is the way of peace: overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.
- Mother Theresa (1910-1997)
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
- 3 from Elie Wiesel (1928- );
Of course some wars may have been necessary or inevitable, but none was ever regarded as holy. For us, a holy war is a contradiction in terms. War dehumanizes, war diminishes, war debases all those who wage it. The Talmud says, "Talmidei hukhamim marbin shalom baolam" (It is the wise men who will bring about peace). Perhaps, because wise men remember best.
Nobel Lecture (December 11, 1986)
None of us is in a position to eliminate war, but it is our obligation to denounce it and expose it in all its hideousness. War leaves no victors, only victims.
Nobel Lecture (December 11, 1986)
Time itself becomes subordinate to war. If only we could celebrate peace as our various ancestors celebrated war; if only we could glorify peace as those before us, thirsting for adventure, glorified war; if only our sages and scholars together could resolve to infuse peace with the same energy and inspiration that others have put into war.
- Maya Angelou
We cannot change the past, but we can change our attitude toward it. Uproot guilt and plant forgiveness. Tear out arrogance and seed humility. Exchange love for hate --- thereby, making the present comfortable and the future promising.
- Muhammad (570-632)
Shall I not inform you of a better act than fasting, alms, and prayers? Making peace between one another: enmity and malice tear up heavenly rewards by the roots.
- 3 from Thich Nhat Hahn:
The war is in our souls.
You may think of peace as the absence of war, that if the great powers would reduce their weapons arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we will see our own minds - our own prejudices, fears, and ignorance.
The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions.
*OK so there's 14, 15 counting Black Elk's quote on the poster at top. Be sure and enlarge to read it is well worth it. I've already cut over half a dozen and can't bear to cut one more.
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
16 tell me a story:
Those are all wonderful quotes about peace -- thank you for sharing. And I love the Black Elk quote -- it's one of my very favorites.
Happy TT!
Thats a great collection of quotes
The war is in our souls. That one gives me chills. Great list.
The Dayan one is so obvious that people overlook it all the time. Interesting list.
I think it's really neat that you posted this on Rosh Hashanah -- the Jewish New Year, when our thoughts are supposed to turn to being better people and helping make the world a better place.
Much food for thought as I sit in temple tomorrow. Thank you.
Thank you for providing such an inspiring list of quotes. Happy TT.
Wow, these were really fantastic. And all so wise.
What an wonderful tribute to those awesome people:) Happy TT.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. May we all givepeace a chance.
Ed
You should send a copy of your TT to some politicians ! They should hang it over their bed !
Definitely one of my favorite T13's today (and I've read 100). I added it to "stumble upon."
This is an inspiring list. Peace seems elusive these days!
a fantastic and timely list. MLK always makes me think and absorb every word
what a wonderful message to spread!
These are all wonderful quotes - very inspiring! Thanks for sharing Joy.
Wonderful quotes. Thanks for posting this list. Happy TT.
Post a Comment