Famous quotes
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“[T]he object they [the Five Powers] have in view is to maintain the integrity of the Turkish Empire; and they have a right to maintain that integrity, because its maintenance is necessary for upholding the balance of power in Europe, and is essential to the preservation of peace in the world.”
Henry Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston (1784–1865) first seen 1839 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Lord Beauvale during the Egyptian–Ottoman War (1 August 1839), quoted in Correspondence Relative to the Affairs of the Levant, Vol. I (1841), p. 232
“Calm soul of all things! make it mine To feel, amid the city’s jar, That there abides a peace of thine, Man did not make, and cannot mar.”
Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) first seen 1852 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Lines Written in Kensington Gardens", st. 10 (1852)
“Ah, love, let us be true To one another! for the world, which seems To lie before us like a land of dreams, So various, so beautiful, so new, Hath really neither joy, nor love, nor light, Nor certitude, nor peace, nor help for pain; And we are here as on a darkling plain Swept with confused alarms of struggle and flight, Where ignorant armies clash by night.”
Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) said by 1888 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Enter these enchanted woods, You who dare. Nothing harms beneath the leaves More than waves a swimmer cleaves. Toss your heart up with the lark, Foot at peace with mouse and worm, Fair you fare. Only at a dread of dark Quaver, and they quit their form: Thousand eyeballs under hoods Have you by the hair. Enter these enchanted woods, You who dare.”
George Meredith (1828–1909) first seen 1883 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Woods of Westermain, st. 1 (1883)
“Human beings always say they prefer peace, but it takes a saint to talk us into not assaulting our neighbors.”
John Barnes (born 1957) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Scatter the clouds that hide The face of heaven, and show Where sweet peace doth abide, Where Truth and Beauty grow.”
Robert Bridges (1844–1930) said by 1930 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“There seems to be no limit to the possibilities of scientific medicine, and while philanthropists are turning to it as to the hope of humanity, philosophers see, as in some far-off vision, a science from which may come in the prophetic words of the Son of Sirach, "Peace over all the earth.”
William Osler (1849–1919) said by 1919 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The hardships and sufferings to which Our nation is to be subjected hereafter will be certainly great. We are keenly aware of the inmost feelings of all of you. Our subjects. However, it is according to the dictates of time and fate that We have resolved to pave the way for a grand peace for all the generations to come by enduring the unendurable and suffering what is insufferable.”
Hirohito (1901–1989) said by 1989 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“We are ready to continue to work with the U.S. side and other parties concerned to peacefully resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, and the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomatic negotiation to uphold the international non-proliferation regime and safeguard global peace and stability.”
“Let's join hands and endeavour to promote development in both China and Africa, improve the well-being of our peoples and build a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.”
“Magic words and incantations are as fatal to our science as they are to any other. Methods, when classified and separated, acquire their true bearing and perspective as a means to an end, not as ends in themselves. We seek to find peace of mind in the word, the formula, the ritual. The hope is an illusion.”
Benjamin N. Cardozo (1870–1938) said by 1938 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“His action shows convincingly that there is no chance of expecting that this man will ever give up his practice of using force to gain his will. He can only be stopped by force. We have a clear conscience. We have done all that any country could do to establish peace.”
Harry Turtledove (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Was that savage cynicism or sage common sense? When it came to gauging the chances of peace and war, how much difference was there?”
Harry Turtledove (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think this is called peace. We used to have it all the time.”
Harry Turtledove (born 1949) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“With me along the strip of Herbage strown That just divides the desert from the sown, Where name of Slave and Sultan is forgot — And Peace to Mahmud on his golden Throne!”
Omar Khayyám (1048–1131) said by 1131 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: XI (1889)
“Fate will not bend to humour man’s caprice, So vaunt not human powers but hold your peace, Here must we stay, weighed down with grief for this, That we were born so late, so soon decease.”
Omar Khayyám (1048–1131) said by 1131 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Socialism stood for the divinity of the human race and as such detested war and all preparations leading to war. The one party in the world that could be trusted to be a peace party at all times was the Socialist and Labour party.”
Keir Hardie (1856–1915) first seen 1907 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in the Guildhall in Cambridge (16 February 1907), quoted in The Times (18 February 1907), p. 12
“It was Richard Parker who calmed me down. It is the irony of this story that the one who scared me witless to start with was the very same who brought me peace, purpose, I dare say even wholeness.”
Yann Martel (born 1963) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“America is both North and South, White and Black, Republican and Democrat. We are laughter and loss, Saturday night and Sunday morning, Old Testament and New. Liberty and equality are not opposites in inevitable conflict, but act in concert under the practical balance of the Union. In the end, even war and peace are intimately entwined.”
John Avlon (born 1973) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Invariably the prophet emerges from his hallucinatory vision bearing a message from the supernatural that makes certain promises: the return of the bison herds, a happy hunting ground, or peace on earth and good will to men. Whatever the specific promises, the prophet offers a new power, a revitalization of the whole society.”
Peter Farb (1929–1980) said by 1980 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Islam is not a religion of peace. It's a political theory of conquest that seeks domination by any means it can.”
Ayaan Hirsi Ali (born 1969) first seen 2009 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Author, activist condemns Muslim faith at Palm Beach talk", Palm Beach Daily News (March 21, 2009)
“Words are the currency of love and friendship, of making and marketing, of peace and war. Nations are bound and loosed by them. Three or four simple words can move waves of emotion through the hearts of multitudes like great tides of the sea: "Lest we forget." "Patriotism is not enough.”
Stanley Baldwin (1867–1947) first seen 1925 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at his inauguration as Lord Rector of The University of Edinburgh (6 November 1925), quoted in On England, and Other Addresses (1926), p. 78
“Perpetual strife can only lead to poverty and oppression, and peace alone can remove these two spectres of poverty and oppression.”
Stanley Baldwin (1867–1947) first seen 1926 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in Chippenham (12 June 1926), quoted in Our Inheritance (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1938), p. 171.
“We desire to go on working to maintain world peace, and to strengthen the League of Nations, and I give you my word – and I think you can trust me by now – our defence programme will be no more than is sufficient to make our country safe and enable us to fulfil our obligations. That much we must have.”
Stanley Baldwin (1867–1947) first seen 1902 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Film broadcast (31 October 1935), quoted in John Ramsden, A History of the Conservative Party: The Age of Balfour and Baldwin, 1902–1940 (1978), p. 345
“For the present I ask you to await as calmly as you can the events of the next few days. As long as war has not begun, there is always hope that it may be prevented, and you know that I am going to work for peace to the last moment. Good night.”
Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940) first seen 1938 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Broadcast (27 September 1938), quoted in The Times (28 September 1938), p. 10
“As you know I have always been more afraid of a peace offer than of an air raid.”
Neville Chamberlain (1869–1940) first seen 1933 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Ida Chamberlain (8 October 1939), quoted in Maurice Cowling, The Impact of Hitler. British Politics and British Policy. 1933-1940 (1975), p. 355
“And in the time to come, the time that must come, when these colonies of ours have grown in stature, in population, and in strength, this league of kindred nations, this federation of Greater Britain, will not only provide for its own security, but will be a potent factor in maintaining the peace of the world. (Cheers.)”
Joseph Chamberlain (1836–1914) first seen 1896 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in the Whitehall Rooms, Hotel Metropole (21 January 1896), quoted in The Times (22 January 1896), p. 10
“The terms of peace at Vereeniging were the charter of the Boer nation. They had every right to call upon the British to fulfil them in spirit and letter. If, in any respect, they thought these terms had not been, or would not be, carried out in the future, let them bring complaints and they would be redressed.”
Joseph Chamberlain (1836–1914) first seen 1903 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reply to Jan Smuts (8 January 1903), quoted in The Times (12 January 1903), p. 3
“In the terms of peace it was promised that education in Dutch should be given to the children of parents who desired it. This promise would be kept.”
Joseph Chamberlain (1836–1914) first seen 1903 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reply to Jan Smuts (8 January 1903), quoted in The Times (12 January 1903), p. 3
“We've got to win it. We're in it. Politically it is impossible for anybody to withdraw. The British people would not stand it. We have got to beat Hitler... Chamberlain is not a war man. He's a man of peace. His heart is not in the war. The only hope is to put Churchill in charge and get rid of Chamberlain.”
Michael Foot (1913–2010) first seen 1940 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to Lord Beaverbrook during the Phoney War (1940), quoted in Anne Wolrige Gordon, Peter Howard: Life and Letters (1969), pp. 101-102
“The heart of a virtuous person has settled down and he does not rush about at things. A person of little merit is not at peace but walks about making trouble and is in conflict with all.”
Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659–1719) said by 1719 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The opposite of war isn't peace... It's creation!”
Jonathan Larson (1960–1996) said by 1996 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He was a quiet, gentle man, a man who loved peace (his country had suffered much from the wars of his predecessor), he behaved graciously toward everyone, humble and great alike. Never high-handed, he always sought advice in the kingdom’s affairs from serious, experienced people. Just why his nephew killed him was never precisely explained.”
Constantine P. Cavafy (1863–1933) said by 1933 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It is sometimes admitted that many propositions that are affirmed by intelligent people, such as that democracy is the best form of government or that world peace depends upon world government, cannot be tested by the method of experimental science.”
Robert Maynard Hutchins (1899–1977) said by 1977 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Politicians who attack the dream of a federal Europe are racist bigots intent on undermining the Continent's freedom and peace.”
Jacques Delors (1925–2023) first seen 1994 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the European Parliament (4 May 1994), quoted in The Times (5 May 1994), p. 1
“An unsteady nation has no friends. The German people seriously worry me. The only thing I can say for them is that they have lived through too much. They have not found peace of mind and stability since the war of 1914-18.”
Konrad Adenauer (1876–1967) first seen 1876 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Adenauer 1876-1967" (28 April 1967) by James Bell, Life, Vol. 62, No. 17
“[I believe in] the throne...parliamentary institutions...private enterprise and individual opinion against the socialization of the state...equity in the distribution of public burdens and strict maintenance of public faith with the creditors of the state [and] a fresh guarantee of peace by an alliance with France and...Belgium for the defence of our common interests against unprovoked attack.”
Austen Chamberlain (1863–1937) first seen 1920 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the Oxford Carlton Club (3 March 1922), quoted in Maurice Cowling, The Impact of Labour, 1920-1924: The Beginnings of Modern British Politics (1971), p. 147
“Dread. Bottomless dread... I am that shadow on the threshold defending my remnant peace.”
Anna Akhmatova (1889–1966) said by 1966 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“An economic creed in an imperfect world must be at least equally adapted to the purposes of war as to the purposes of peace. ... when war came in 1914, what was the situation of this country? The free-trade system had wholly failed to equip the Government of this country with the many instruments which were absolutely vital for the purposes of conducting war.”
F. E. Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead (1872–1930) first seen 1923 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the Constitutional Club (20 November 1923), quoted in The Times (21 November 1923), p. 17
“[W]e are all alike determined to throw all our weight on the side of securing world peace through respect for law based on just settlements. We have no use for a world society in which law would be expected to be the obedient handmaid of lawless force; and we are all resolved to preserve British rights and liberties against attack, from whatever quarter within or without the State these may come.”
Edward Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax (1881–1959) first seen 1938 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the annual dinner of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (21 June 1938), quoted in The Times (22 June 1938), p. 18
“I like to think I have the guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy and call for things no-one else believes in—like peace and justice and freedom.”
“Love Poem / Beyond watching eyes / With sweet and tender kisses / Our souls reached out to each other / In breathless wonder // And when I awoke / From a vast and smiling peace / I found you bathed in morning light / Quietly studying / All the messages on my phone”
“I was depressed for a long time. If you’re depressed long enough, it’s almost a comfort, a state of mind that you’ve made peace with because you’ve been in it so long. It’s a very selfish world.”
Chris Cornell (1964–2017) said by 2017 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make his face to shine upon thee and be merciful unto thee. The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
William Tyndale (1494–1536) said by 1536 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“For ever... well... it droops the mouth. Till I Look up. There's one blue patch no smoke dares touch. Sky, clear, ineffable, alive with light, Always the same... Before, I never knew Rest and green peace.”
Stephen Vincent Benét (1898–1943) said by 1943 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When you understand the roots of anger in yourself and in the other, your mind will enjoy true peace, joy and lightness”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Teachings on Love (2005) Full Circle Publishing
“The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926–2022) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Touching Peace (1992), p. 1. Parallax Press
“I share with you an innate desire to be of public service to this country. It is the lot of our generation to serve as military men first, and then, with an idealism undaunted to enlist with as much zeal to form a lasting peace. All will come right, our cause is just and righteous. This country will not lose.”
Nile Kinnick (1918–1943) first seen 1941 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to friend Loren Hickerson (December 13, 1941)
“As we see, this is an illegal state; it is a cancerous entity and the root of all the crises and wars and cannot be a factor in bringing about a true and just peace in this region. Therefore, we cannot acknowledge the existence of a state called Israel, not even far in the future, as some people have tried to suggest. Time does not cancel the legitimacy of the Palestinian claim.”
Hassan Nasrallah (1960–2024) first seen 2000 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Egyptian television (6 February 2000)
“Stalin was an example of creativity, humanism and an edifying example of peace and heroism! [...] Everything that he did, he did at the service of the people. Our father Stalin is dead, but when remembering his example, our affection towards him will make our arms grow strong for the building of a great tomorrow, to assure a future in memory of his magnificent example.”
Salvador Allende (1908–1973) first seen 1953 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at the Baquedano Theater, Santiago, Chile (1953)