Authentic peace is no more passive than war. Like war, it calls for discipline and intelligence and strength of character, though it calls also for higher principles and aims. If we are serious about peace, then we must work for it as ardently, seriously, continuously, carefully, and bravely as we have ever prepared for war.

Wendell Berry (b. 1934) American farmer, educator, poet, conservationist

Essay (2003-02-09), “A Citizen’s Response,” sec. 4, paid advertisement, New York Times
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The essay, including this passage (its closing words), was also published in a longer form in Orion Magazine (2003-03/04), and collected in Berry's Citizenship Papers (2003).