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Peace
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“Israel will never get true security and safety through oppressing another people. A true peace can ultimately be built only on justice. We condemn the violence of suicide bombers, and we condemn the corruption of young minds taught hatred; but we also condemn the violence of military incursions in the occupied lands, and the inhumanity that won't let ambulances reach the injured.”
Desmond Tutu (1931–2021) said by 2021 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Well may the boldest fear and the wisest tremble when incurring responsibilities on which may depend our country's peace and prosperity, and in some degree the hopes and happiness of the whole human family.”
James K. Polk (1795–1849) first seen 1845 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Inaugural Address (4 March 1845).
“Colored men of Tennessee, humble and unworthy as I am, if no better shall be found I will indeed be your Moses and lead you through the Red Sea of war and bondage to a fairer future of liberty and peace. I speak now as one who feels the world his country and all who love equal rights his friends.”
Andrew Johnson (1808–1875) first seen 1865 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "The Good Fight" (1865), by George William Curtis.
“My policy is trust, peace, and to put aside the bayonet. I do not think the wise policy is to decide contested elections in the States by the use of the national army.”
Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893) first seen 1877 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Diary (14 March 1877)
“War should never be entered upon until every agency of peace has failed.”
William McKinley (1843–1901) first seen 1897 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: First Inaugural Address (March 4, 1897)
“Our earnest prayer is that God will graciously vouchsafe prosperity, happiness, and peace to all our neighbors, and like blessings to all the peoples and powers of earth.”
William McKinley (1843–1901) first seen 1901 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech delivered at the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, New York (September 5, 1901).
“Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not in conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war.”
William McKinley (1843–1901) first seen 1901 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech delivered at the Pan-American Exposition, Buffalo, New York (September 5, 1901).
“The commonwealth of Venice in their armory have this inscription: "Happy is that city which in time of peace thinks of war.”
Robert Burton (1577–1640) said by 1640 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I write just because the fire of my emotion is burning. Had I not, I would not have been able to find peace.”
Ba Jin (1904–2005) first seen 2003 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Literary witness to century of turmoil" in China Daily (24 November 2003)
“Now dig my grave Beneath the bay willows' boughs And with blackness cover it over again, There for evermore Go from my domain: I wish to slumber in peace.”
Aleksis Kivi (1834–1872) said by 1872 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I'll show you some security and I'll show you some peace: Nagasaki and Hiroshima. You fuck with us and we'll fucking melt you.”
Ted Nugent (born 1948) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And for one beautiful day there was peace.”
Ezra Pound (1885–1972) said by 1972 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Dictatorship and democracy must live side by side in peace, or civilization is doomed. For this end I believe Englishmen would do well to remember that the Nazi form of government is in large measure the outcome of Allied and British injustice at Versailles in 1919.”
G. M. Trevelyan (1876–1962) first seen 1937 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to The Times (12 August 1937), p. 11
“Against Machiavelli's princely interpretation of the new nationalism, Britain alone of the great national States successfully held out, turned back the tide of despotism, and elaborated a system by which a debating club of elected persons could successfully govern an Empire in peace and in war.”
G. M. Trevelyan (1876–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The proud and the avaricious man are never at rest; while the poor and lowly of heart abide in the multitude of peace.”
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) said by 1471 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Peace is ever with the humble man, but in the heart of the proud there is envy and continual wrath.”
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) said by 1471 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How can he abide long time in peace who occupieth himself with other men’s matters, and with things without himself, and meanwhile payeth little or rare heed to the self within?”
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) said by 1471 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“watch thou thyself in godly peace, and leave him who is unquiet to be unquiet as he will. Whatsoever he shall do or say, shall come unto him, for he cannot deceive Me. Trouble not thyself about the shadow of a great name, nor about the friendship of many, nor about the love of men towards thee. For these things beget distraction and great sorrows of heart.”
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) said by 1471 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“And he who seeketh not to please men, nor feareth to displease, shall enjoy abundant peace.”
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) said by 1471 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If thou seek rest in this life, how wilt them then attain to the everlasting rest? Dispose not thyself for much rest, but for great patience. Seek true peace — not in earth, but in heaven; not in men, nor in any other creature, but in God alone.”
Thomas à Kempis (1379–1471) said by 1471 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“They are killing and slaughtering thousands of people... they boast of their brutality... they claim to do this in the name of Islam, that is nonsense, Islam is a religion of peace. They are not Muslims, they are monsters.”
David Cameron (born 1966) first seen 2014 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On ISIS; (14 September 2014).
“Of course, this extremist ideology is not true Islam. That cannot be said clearly enough. But it is not good enough to say simply that Islam is a religion of peace and then to deny any connection between the religion of Islam and the extremists. Why? Because these extremists are self-identifying as Muslims.”
David Cameron (born 1966) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Islamic extremism at 2015 Lord Mayor’s Banquet - "Lord Mayor’s Banquet 2015: Prime Minister’s speech" Gov.uk (16 November 2015).
“Ask no more, then, "what is best, How shall those you love be blest," Ask at once eternal Rest, Peace and assurance giving. Rest of Life and not of death, Rest in Love and Hope and Faith, Til the God who gives their breath Calls them to rest from living.”
James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) first seen 1854 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Part III Poems, "On St. David's Day. To Mrs. E. C. Morrieson." (March 1, 1854)
“This may not be a just peace, but it is more just than the continuation of war.”
Alija Izetbegović (1925–2003) said by 2003 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men.”
Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–1889) said by 1889 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Peace is the wish of the French of Italy Spain Germany and all the world, and Great Britain alone the cause of preventing its accomplishment, and this not for any point of honour or even interest, but merely lest there should be an example in the modern world of a great powerful Republic.”
Charles James Fox (1749–1806) first seen 1795 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Lord Holland (7 August 1795), quoted in L. G. Mitchell, Charles James Fox (1997), pp. 161-162
“Bonaparte's wish is Peace, nay that he is afraid of war to the last degree.”
Charles James Fox (1749–1806) first seen 1802 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Charles Grey (12 December 1802), quoted in L. G. Mitchell, Charles James Fox (1997), p. 201
“Not discouraged by the Severity of the Cold, by the Surface over-grown with Briars and Thorns, by the early Opposition of the Natives, a Race of People fierce and false, untractable, treacherous, irreconcilable, bloody and merciless, even to the most horrible, and almost inexpressible Cruelties, who would rarely make Peace, and more rarely keep their Agreements when made.”
Daniel Defoe (1660–1731) said by 1731 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The position of the Muslim community in the face of all provocations seems to be: Islam is a religion of peace, and if you say that it isn't, we will kill you.”
Sam Harris (born 1967) first seen 2011 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: (updated 25 May 2011)
“War is an invention of the human mind. The human mind can invent peace with justice.”
Norman Cousins (1915–1990) first seen 1953 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Who Speaks for Man? (1953), p. 318.
“We will not have peace by afterthought.”
Norman Cousins (1915–1990) first seen 1956 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Editorial (1956) on importance of preservation rather than breaches of world peace.
“The real war poets are always war poets, peace or any time.”
Randall Jarrell (1914–1965) first seen 1945 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poetry in War and Peace," Partisan Review (Winter 1945), p. 129
“What shall we do now? the big knife is coming on us and we shall all be killed. Now we must fight or we are done. Then let us kill all our women and children and go fight until we die? I shall go and make peace!”
Cornstalk (1710–1777) first seen 1774 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Cornstalk to Shawnee council after the Battle of Point Pleasant (October 1774), as quoted in I Have Spoken : American History through the voices of the Indians (1971) by Virginia Irving Armstrong, p. 27
“Peace to Ron G, Brucy B, Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, Lovebug Starsky.”
The Notorious B.I.G. (1972–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He was conscious that something in [his] personality bolstered his confidence and allowed him to rest, to seek peace and find it. He never game a name to it, and never spoke of it. And never, never would he have allowed himself or anyone to call it – love”
Alice Borchardt (1939–2007) said by 2007 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There’s a big difference between keeping the peace, which is something folks do pretty well themselves, and enforcing the law, which is another thing altogether.”
L. Neil Smith (1946–2021) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ceres, Chapter Fourteen, 2009.
“There is no doubt that people are angry. When a family is hit by a bomb and I am the president here with the responsibility -- when a suicide bomb takes places and murders the people of this nation -- I am the president of this country and it is my responsibility to bring peace to these people.”
Hamid Karzai (born 1957) first seen 2006 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: [http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1072624.html President Karzai Discusses Worsening Security (March 9, 2006)
“While existing on the absolute fringes of our tolerant and peace loving societies, terrorists in our region receive institutional nurturing and support. It is this embedded nature of terrorists that make it a much more sinister threat.”
Hamid Karzai (born 1957) first seen 2008 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Hamid Karzai. 'Terror single biggest threat' The Hindustan Times; New Delhi. 02 Aug 2008.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring — it was peace.”
Milan Kundera (1929–2023) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Doug Gelbert, The Canine Hiker's Bible (2000), p. 8
“A sane being wished for peace and serenity, not to be the mortar in which the ingredients of destiny are finely ground.”
David Brin (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“What a foolish thing it is to be governed by a desire for fame and profit and to fret away one's whole life without a moment of peace. Great wealth is no guarantee of security. Wealth, in fact, tends to attract calamities and disaster.”
Yoshida Kenkō (1283–1350) said by 1350 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 38 (tr. Keene, 1967)
“Winning the Nobel Prize does not automatically qualify you to be commander in chief. I think George Bush has proved definitively that to be president, you don’t need to care about science, literature or peace.”
Stephen Colbert (born 1964) first seen 2007 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Mock Columnist, Amok", in The New York Times (14 October 2007)
“The murder of George Floyd launched a summer of protest we hadn’t seen since the Civil Rights era in the ‘60s — protests that unified people of every race and generation in peace and with purpose”
Joe Biden (born 1942) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 20 April 2021
“The actions and policies of certain former members of the Government of Yemen and others in threatening Yemen’s peace, security, and stability continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.”
“Our policy toward Taiwan has not changed at all. We remain committed to supporting peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and ensuring that there is no unilateral change to the status quo.”
Joe Biden (born 1942) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Biden says US military would defend Taiwan (23 May 2022)
“The Christmas story is at the heart of the … Christian faith. But the message of hope, love, peace, and joy — they’re also universal. It speaks to all of us, whether we’re Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, or any other faith, or no faith at all. It speaks to all of us as human beings who are here on this Earth to care for one another, to look out for one another, to love one another.”
“It is doubly chimerical to build peace on economic foundations which, in turn, rest on the systematic cultivation of greed and envy, the very forces which drive men into conflict.”
E. F. Schumacher (1911–1977) said by 1977 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There'll be no white flags, and no peace talk.”
“That's it?' Boamund said. 'Basically, yes,' the hermit replied. 'I've left out Helmut von Moltke and the Peace of Nikolsburg, and maybe I skated over the Benelux customs union a bit, but I think you've got the essentials there. Anything you're not sure about, you can look up in the book.' - c. 1”
“My soul, there is a country Far beyond the stars Where stands a wingèd sentry All skillful in the wars: There, above noise and danger, Sweet Peace is crowned with smiles, And One born in a manger Commands the beauteous files.”
Henry Vaughan (1621–1695) said by 1695 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source