Quotes about Nonviolence

There is no path to veganism; veganism is the way.

Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.

"My optimism rests on my belief in the infinite possibilities of the individual to develop nonviolence. . . . In a gentle way you can shake the world."

"There is a little tree planted on a little hill, and on that tree hangs the most influential character that ever came into this world.  Never feel that that tree is a meaningless drama that took place on the stages of history, oh no it is a telescope through which we look out into the long vista of eternity, to see the love of God breaking forth into time.

It is an eternal reminder to this power drunk generation that love is the only way.  It is an eternal reminder to a generation depending on nuclear and atomic energy, to those who depend on physical violence that love is the only creative, redemptive and transforming power!"  ~ MLK

Take It Higher : Take It Sacred

Commercial interests with their advertising industry do not want people to develop contentment and less greed.  Military interests in economic, political, ethnic or nationalist guises, do not want people to develop more tolerance, nonviolence and compassion.  And ruling groups in general, in whatever sort of hierarchy do not want the ruled to become too insightful, too independent, too creative on their own, as the danger is that they will become insubordinate, rebellious, and unproductive in their alloted tasks.

"We are nonviolent with people who are nonviolent with us."

We who engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension. We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive.

I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land.

My study of Gandhi convinced me that true pacifism is not nonresistance to evil, but nonviolent resistance to evil. Between the two positions, there is a world of difference. Gandhi resisted evil with as much vigor and power as the violent resister, but True pacifism is not unrealistic submission to evil power. It is rather a courageous confrontation of evil by the power of love. . . .

Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon . . . which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.

I'm grateful to God that, through the Negro church, the dimension of nonviolence entered our struggle.

Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.

The first thing to be disturbed by our commitment to nonviolence will not be the system but our own lives.

Truth and nonviolence are no cloistered virtues but are applicable as much in the forum and the legislatures as in the market-place.

There is nothing on earth that I would not give up, excepting of course, two things and two things only, truth and nonviolence.

I hold that without truth and nonviolence there can be nothing but destruction of humanity.

My religion is based on truth and nonviolence. Truth is my God. Nonviolence is the means of realizing Him.

A person who has truly realized the principle of nonviolence has the God given strength for his weapon, and the world has not yet known anything that can match it.

If one does not practice nonviolence in one's own personal relations with others and hopes to use it in bigger affairs, one is vastly mistaken.

It is the acid test of nonviolence that in a nonviolent conflict there is no rancor left behind, and in the end the enemies are converted into friends.

When nonviolence is accepted as the law of life, it must pervade the whole being and not be applied to isolated acts.

No man could be actively nonviolent and not rise against social injustice, no matter where it occurred.

The real test of nonviolence lies in its being brought in contact with those who have contempt for it.

Nonviolence is the law of the human race and is infinitely greater than, and superior to, brute force.

The nonviolence I teach is active nonviolence of the strongest. But the weakest can partake in it without becoming weaker.

Nonviolence is an intensely active force when properly understood and used.

Nonviolence of the strong cannot be a mere policy. It must be a creed, or a passion, if 'creed' is objected to.

If intellect plays a large part in the field of violence, I hold that it plays a larger part in the field of nonviolence.

There is no hope for the aching world except through the narrow and straight path of nonviolence.