Words and thoughts concerning compassionate action that are not put into practice are like beautiful flowers that are colorful but have no fragrance.
—Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) Vietnamese Buddhist Religious Leader, Teacher, Author, Peace Activist
To work in the world lovingly means that we are defining what we will be for, rather than reacting to what we are against.
—Unknown
Smoking dope and hanging up Che’s picture is no more a commitment than drinking milk and collecting postage stamps. A revolution in consciousness is an empty high without a revolution in the distribution of power. We are not interested in the greening of Amerika except for the grass that will cover its grave.
—Abbie Hoffman (1936–89) American Political Activist, Anarchist
All movements go too far.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
The important work of moving the world forward does not wait to be done by perfect men.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
No great movement designed to change the world can bear to be laughed at or belittled. Mockery is a rust that corrodes all it touches.
—Milan Kundera (b.1929) Czech Novelist
In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.
—Unknown
In a time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
The will to act is a renewable resource.
—Al Gore (b.1948) American Politician, Environmentalist
Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
The most important political office is that of the private citizen
—Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) American Jurist
Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make not only for our own happiness but that of the world at large.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Revolution is not something fixed in ideology, nor is it something fashioned to a particular decade. It is a perpetual process embedded in the human spirit.
—Abbie Hoffman (1936–89) American Political Activist, Anarchist
Agitators are a set of interfering, meddling people, who come down to some perfectly contented class of the community and sow the seeds of discontent amongst them. That is the reason why agitators are so absolutely necessary. Without them, in our incomplete state, there would be no advance towards civilization.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Never has man reached his destination by persistence in deviation from the straight path.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
If I seem to take part in politics, it is only because politics encircles us today like the coil of a snake from which one cannot get out, no matter how much one tries. I wish therefore to wrestle with the snake.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
If you’re not giving the world the best you have, what world are you saving it for?
—Unknown
A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The only real prison is fear, and the only real freedom is freedom from fear.
—Aung San Suu Kyi (b.1945) Burmese Politician, Human Rights Activist
To steal from a brother or sister is evil. To not steal from the institutions that are the pillars of the Pig Empire is equally immoral.
—Abbie Hoffman (1936–89) American Political Activist, Anarchist
Think globally; act locally.
—Buckminster Fuller (1895–1983) American Inventor, Philosopher
I am leaving this legacy to all of you … to bring peace, justice, equality, love and a fulfillment of what our lives should be. Without vision, the people will perish, and without courage and inspiration, dreams will die—the dream of freedom and peace.
—Rosa Parks (1913–2005) American Civil Rights Leader
You may think your actions are meaningless and that they won’t help, but that is no excuse, you must still act.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Before preparing to improve the world, first look around your own home three times.
—Chinese Proverb
Patriotism … is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit.
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940) Lithuanian-American Anarchist, Feminist
Prayer is meaningless unless it is subversive, unless it seeks to overthrow and to ruin the pyramids of callousness, hatred, opportunism, falsehoods. The liturgical movement must become a revolutionary movement, seeking to overthrow the forces that continue to destroy the promise, the hope, the vision.
—Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–72) American Jewish Rabbi
Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Politics hates a vacuum. If it isn’t filled with hope, someone will fill it with fear.
—Naomi Klein (b.1970) Canadian Anti-Globalization Activist
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