A consciousness of the fact that war means practically total destruction is the reason, I think, for the rising tide to prevent what seems such a senseless procedure. I understand that it is perhaps difficult for some people, whose lives have been lived with a sense of the need for military development, to envisage the possibility of being no longer needed. But the average citizen is beginning to think more and more of the need to develop machinery to settle difficulties in the world without destruction or the use of atomic bombs.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) First Lady of the US (1933–1945), politician, diplomat, activist
Column (1961-12-20), “My Day”
(Source)
Quotations about:
peacemaking
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We seek peace — enduring peace. More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars — yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman, and thoroughly impractical method of settling the differences between governments.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) American lawyer, politician, statesman, US President (1933–1945)
Speech (1945-04-13), Jefferson Day (undelivered)
(Source)
Roosevelt died the day before this speech was to be delivered by radio.
Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise. If someone has done you wrong, do not repay him with a wrong. Try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody.
[τὸ αὐτὸ εἰς ἀλλήλους φρονοῦντες, μὴ τὰ ὑψηλὰ φρονοῦντες ἀλλὰ τοῖς ταπεινοῖς συναπαγόμενοι. μὴ γίνεσθε φρόνιμοι παρ᾽ ἑαυτοῖς. μηδενὶ κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ ἀποδιδόντες, προνοούμενοι καλὰ ἐνώπιον πάντων ἀνθρώπων· εἰ δυνατὸν τὸ ἐξ ὑμῶν, μετὰ πάντων ἀνθρώπων εἰρηνεύοντες·]
The Bible (The New Testament) (AD 1st - 2nd C) Christian sacred scripture
Book 6. Letter to the Romans 12:16ff (Rom 12:16–18) [GNT (1992 ed.)]
(Source)
(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
[KJV (1611)]Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be condescending but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone.
[JB (1966)]Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom. Never pay back evil with evil, but bear in mind the ideals that all regard with respect. As much as possible, and to the utmost of your ability, be at peace with everyone.
[NJB (1985)]Consider everyone as equal, and don’t think that you’re better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don’t think that you’re so smart. Don’t pay back anyone for their evil actions with evil actions, but show respect for what everyone else believes is good. If possible, to the best of your ability, live at peace with all people.
[CEB (2011)]Live in harmony with one another; do not be arrogant, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
[NRSV (2021 ed.)]
Silence is a great peacemaker.
There are answers which, in turning away wrath, only send it to the other end of the room.
George Eliot (1819-1880) English novelist [pseud. of Mary Ann Evans]
Middlemarch, Book 3, ch. 24 (1871)
(Source)
An allusion to Proverbs 15:1 "A soft answer turneth away wrath."
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
(Source)
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).
All men want peace, but all do not seek those things that bring true peace.
[Pacem omnes desiderant: sed quæ ad veram pacem pertinent, non omnes curant.]
Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471) German-Dutch priest, author
The Imitation of Christ [De Imitatione Christi], Book 3, ch. 25, v. 1 (3.25.1) [Christ] (c. 1418-27) [tr. Sherley-Price (1952)]
(Source)
(Source (Latin)). Alternate translations:All men desire peace, but all men will not do that belongeth to peace.
[tr. Whitford/Raynal (1530/1871)]All men desire peace, but all will not do what pertains to peace.
[tr. Whitford/Gardiner (1530/1955)]All doe desire peace, but all care not for those things that appertain unto true peace.
[tr. Page (1639), 3.25.2]But, though Peace be in every Man's Wishes, yet the Qualifications and Predispositions, necessary for procuring and preserving it, are the Care of very few.
[tr. Stanhope (1696; 1706 ed.), 3.29]Peace is what all desire; but the things that belong to peace, few regard.
[tr. Payne (1803), 3.20]Peace is what all desire, but all do not care for the things that pertain unto true peace.
[ed. Parker (1841)]Peace is what all desire; but the things that belong to true peace, few regard.
[tr. Dibdin (1851), 3.23]Peace is what all desire: but all care not for those things which appertain to true peace.
[ed. Bagster (1860)]All men desire peace, but all do not care for the things which belong unto true peace.
[tr. Benham (1874)]Peace is what all desire, but all do not care for the things that pertain unto true peace.
[tr. Anon. (1901)]All men desire peace but all do not care for the things that go to make true peace.
[tr. Croft/Bolton (1940)]All long for peace, but all do not care for what leads to true peace.
[tr. Daplyn (1952)]Peace is something everyone longs for, but it is not everyone who troubles to find out what brings true peace.
[tr. Knox-Oakley (1959)]Everyone desires peace, but not everyone cares for the things that bring real peace.
[tr. Knott (1962)]Everybody wants peace; but not everybody cares about what really brings peace.
[tr. Rooney (1979)]Everyone wants peace, but not all care for what leads to true peace.
[tr. Creasy (1989)]All men desire peace, but few desire the things that make for peace.
[Common translation]
