Violence is unnecessary and costly. Peace is the only way.
—Julius Nyerere (1922–99) Tanzanian Statesman
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you may murder the liar, but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. In fact, violence merely increases hate… Returning violence for violence multiples violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
Peace is not an absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition for benevolence, confidence, justice.
—Baruch Spinoza (1632–77) Dutch Philosopher, Theologian
Peace is the well from which the stream of joy runs.
—Scottish Proverb
We have taken the sword of Caesar, and in taking it, of course, have rejected Thee (Jesus) and followed him (Satan.)
—Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821–81) Russian Novelist, Essayist, Writer
The real differences around the world today are not between Jews and Arabs; Protestants and Catholics; Muslims, Croats, and Serbs. The real differences are between those who embrace peace and those who would destroy it; between those who look to the future and those who cling to the past; between those who open their arms and those who are determined to clench their fists.
—Bill Clinton (b.1946) American Head of State, Lawyer, Public Speaker
Right human relations is the only true peace.
—Alice Bailey (1880–1949) British Esoteric Writer
Bullets cannot be recalled. They cannot be uninvented. But they can be taken out of the gun.
—Martin Amis (1949–2023) British Novelist, Journalist
You may either win your peace or buy it: win it, by resistance to evil; buy it, by compromise with evil.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
When you’re finally up on the moon, looking back at the earth, all these differences and nationalistic traits are pretty well going to blend and you’re going to get a concept that maybe this is really one world and why the hell can’t we learn to live together like decent people?
—Frank Borman (1928–2023) American Astronaut, Commander of Apollo 8
Peace rules the day, where reason rules the mind.
—Wilkie Collins (1824–89) English Novelist, Playwright, Short-story Writer
Musicians must make music, artists must paint, poets must write if they are to be ultimately at peace with themselves. What human beings can be, they must be. They must be true to their own nature. This need we may call self-actualization.
—Abraham Maslow (1908–70) American Psychologist, Academic, Humanist
Acceptance of others, their looks, their behaviors, their beliefs, brings you an inner peace and tranquillity instead of anger and resentment.
—Anonymous
Peace is produced by war.
—Pierre Corneille (1606–84) French Poet, Dramatist
If you want to make peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.
—Moshe Dayan (1915–81) Israeli Soldier, Statesman
As a peaceful warrior, I would choose when, where and how I would behave. With that commitment, I began to live the life of a warrior.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
We have all taken risks in the making of war. Isn’t it time that we should take risks to secure peace?
—Ramsay MacDonald (1866–1937) British Head of State, Journalist
We used to wonder where war lived, what it was that made it so vile. And now we realize that we know where it lives, that it is inside ourselves.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
There is no shadow of protection to be had by sheltering behind the slender stockades of visionary speculation, or by hiding behind the wagon-wheels of pacific theories.
—Soong Mei-ling (1898–2003) First Lady of the Republic of China
Fill you mind with the meaningless stimuli of a world preoccupied with meaningless things, and it will not be easy to feel peace in your heart.
—Marianne Williamson (b.1952) American Activist, Author, Lecturer
When peace is more valued than the entertainment of the insatiable ego, it will be discovered to be ever present and available.
—David R. Hawkins (1927–2012) American Physician, Author
Maintain peace with men, war with their vices.
—Unknown
Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
What all men are really after is some form, or perhaps only some formula, of peace.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
‘He insulted me, he cheated me, he beat me, he robbed me’—those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace.
—Buddhist Teaching
Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
Dear God, Please send to me the spirit of Your peace. Then send, dear Lord, the spirit of peace from me to all the world. Amen.
—Marianne Williamson (b.1952) American Activist, Author, Lecturer
Think not I came to send peace on the earth; I came not to send peace but a sword.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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