Discover great quotes on peace to help you understand peace and ways to build peace. Learn and take action for a more peaceful, just world.
by Taylor O’Connor | 3 October 2024
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
When I studied peace and conflict I learned a lot about key peace theories like analyzing structural and cultural violence. While this was challenging at first, I got the hang of it and began to develop my ability to recognize structural and cultural violence everywhere (my blog post on how to recognize types of violence HERE).
But recognizing these forms of violence is not enough. We have to know approaches to transform them, to build peace. War and violent conflict are complex, but there are many ways to transform them. We learn some in the the field of Peace Studies, but I know from my experiences that there are so many ways to transform the world.
One great way of finding creative ways to transform structural and cultural violence, to build peace, is to analyze what wise people say about it. So I have put together this little collection of great quotes on peace and appraoches for building peace to help you. From these we can gain a deeper understanding of what real peace means and find creative ways we can build peace.
Key messages about peace and approaches to build peace in the quotes
I think there are two ways that these quotes can help you find ways to contribute to building peace in the world around you. One is by recognizing key messages about peace conveyed, and the other is be understanding different approaches to build peace demonstrated by these quotes and finding a way that is most suitable for you to build peace from these.
Key messages about peace
- War cannot bring about lasting peace; it only leads to more conflict, war, and inequality.
- True peace can only be achieved through non-violent means.
- Militarization and the accumulation of weapons prevent peace, as societies that invest in armed forces and war economies hinder peaceful coexistence.
- War affects all nations, and international cooperation is essential for peace that benefits all of humanity.
Key approaches for building peace learned from these quotes:
- Use education, including peace education, to change mindsets and teach non-violent conflict resolution.
- Address essential human needs—like food, shelter, healthcare, and education—especially for those who have suffered, as peace must be tangible and meaningful.
- Promote sustainable management and fair distribution of resources to reduce inequality and support global peace.
- Use the arts and other creative mediums as tools for fostering understanding, dialogue, and peace.
- Develop systems that prioritize peace, social justice, and the common good, and challenge structures that perpetuate war and conflict.
- Encourage a mindset of empathy, where peace is achieved by acknowledging our common humanity and working toward mutual benefit.
Great quotes on peace and building peace in the world
Below you will find 37 great quotes on peace and approaches to build peace.
I have split them into six groups:
- Quotes on deconstructing perceptions on war
- Quotes on transforming the war industry
- Great quotes on peace systems
- Great quotes on peace cultures
- Quotes on approaches to build a culture of peace
- Quotes on transforming how we think about peace and building peace
Quotes on deconstructing perceptions on war
Quotes below deconstruct perceptions on war, and show us other ways of thinking about and understanding the human phenonmenon of war that will contirbute to peace. They explain that the idea that war brings peace is not correct despite what leaders may say. They emphasize that war only produces more war, conflict and inequality, while peace is only achievable through non-violent means. They emphasize that the seed of war is in our minds, and only through uprooting false ideas about war will we actually achieve peace.
“I went into the Army believing that if you want peace you must prepare for war. I now believe that if you prepare thoroughly for war you will get it.” – Sir John Frederick Maurice (Military general, 1842 – 1912, England)
“To suggest that war can prevent war is a base play on words and a despicable form of warmongering. The objective of any who sincerely believe in peace clearly must be to exhaust every honorable recourse in the effort to save the peace. The world has had ample evidence that war begets only conditions that beget further war.” – Ralph Bunche (Diplomat, activist, mediator, 1904 – 1971, USA)
“A treaty of Peace may, indeed, put an end to a particular war, yet not to the general condition of war, in which a pretext can always be found for new hostilities.” – Immanuel Kant (Philosopher, 1724 – 1804, Kingdom of Prussia)
“War is an invention of the human mind. The human mind can invent peace.” – Norman Cousins (Journalist, author, peace activist, 1915 – 1990, USA)
“It’s odd how those who dismiss the peace movement as utopian, don’t hesitate to proffer the most absurdly dreamy reasons for going to war: to stamp out terrorism, install democracy, eliminate fascism, and most entertainingly, to rid the world of evil-doers.” – Arundhati Roy (Writer, activist, 1961 – present, India)
“Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.” – George Carlin (Comedian, 1937 – 2008, USA)
Quotes on transforming the war industry
These quotes emphasize that true peace cannot be achieved through militarization or the accumulation of weapons. They argue that as long as societies invest in armed forces and maintain a war-focused economy, peace will remain out of reach. To attain lasting peace, there must be a shift away from the power structures and policies that prioritize war and conflict over peaceful coexistence.
“You are not going to get peace with millions of armed men. The chariot of peace cannot advance over a road littered with cannon.” – David Lloyd (Comic artist, 1950 – present, England)
“To have peace and not war, the drift toward a war economy, as facilitated by the moves and the demands of the sophisticated conservatives, must be stopped; to have peace without slump, the tactics and policies of the practical right must be overcome. The political and economic power of both must be broken.” – C. Wright Mills (Sociologist, author, 1916 – 1962, USA)
“We know how to organize warfare, but do we know how to act when confronted with peace?” – Jacques-Yves Cousteau (Oceanographer, filmmaker, writer, 1910 – 1997, French)
“The pens which write against disarmament are made with the same steel from which guns are made.” – Aristide Briand (Former Prime Minister of France, 1862 – 1932, France)
Great quotes on peace systems
These quotes emphasize that peace must be incentivized and actively pursued through cooperation and the prioritization of collective well-being over individual greed. For peace to be meaningful, it needs to address basic human needs—such as food, shelter, and education—especially for those who have known only suffering. Achieving peace also requires sustainable management and equitable distribution of resources, guided by political and economic systems that support development and the common good of humanity.
“We must devise a system in which peace is more rewarding than war.” – Margaret Mead (Anthropologist, 1901 – 1978, USA)
“Peace, to have meaning for many who have only known suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health and education, as well as freedom and human dignity.” – Ralph Bunche (Political scientist, activist, 1904 – 1971, USA)
“Peace is a practical positive policy, which must be attained by friendly co-operation between the nations, putting the good of all before the interests of each.” – Anna Ruth Fry (Writer, peace activist, 1878 – 1962, England)
“If development is the new name for peace, war and preparations for war are the major enemy of the healthy development of peoples. If we take the common good of all humanity as our norm, instead of individual greed, peace would be possible.” – Pope John Paul II (Religious leader, 1920 – 2005, Poland and Italy)
“The way in which we can promote peace, is by promoting sustainable management of our resources, equitable distribution of these resources, and that the only way you can actually do that, is that then you have to have a political, economic system that facilitates that.” – Wangari Maathai (Activist, conservationist, 1940 – 2011, Kenya)
“Peace begins when the hungry are fed.” – Unknown author
Great quotes on peace cultures
These quotes encourage us to analyze and transform cultures of war and violence, and to build cultures of peace. Many are commentaries on elements of peace cultures and war cultures. Achieving peace means rejecting cultures of violence, embracing empathy, and inviting peace into our lives through conscious action and recognition of our shared humanity. They emphasize the interconnections amongst nations, that when war occurrs it affects all of us, and that a lasting peace would benefit all.
“Peace has its victories no less than war, but it doesn’t have as many monuments to unveil.” – Kin Hubbard (Cartoonist, journalist, 1868 – 1930, USA)
“The social progress, order, security and peace of each country are necessarily connected with the social progress, order, security and peace of all other countries.” – Pope John XXIII (Religious leader, 1881 – 1963, Italy)
“A people free to choose will always choose peace.” – Bernice Johnson Reagon (Musician, activist, 1942 – present, USA)
“Until we have the courage to recognize cruelty for what it is–whether its victim is human or animal–we cannot expect things to be much better in this world… We cannot have peace among men whose hearts delight in killing any living creature. By every act that glorifies or even tolerates such moronic delight in killing we set back the progress of humanity.” – Rachel Carson (Marine biologist, writer, conservationist, 1907 – 1964, USA)
“If peace . . . only had the music and pageantry of war, there’d be no wars.” – Sophie Kerr (Writer, 1880 – 1965, USA)
“Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. You cannot subjugate a nation forcibly unless you wipe out every man, woman, and child. Unless you wish to use such drastic measures, you must find a way of settling your disputes without resort to arms.” – Albert Einstein (Physicist, 1879 – 1955, Germany and USA)
“War will stop when we no longer praise it, or give it any attention at all. Peace will come wherever it is sincerely invited.” – Alice Walker (Writer, poet, activist, 1944 – present, USA)
Quotes on approaches to build a culture of peace
These quotes highlight various approaches to building a culture of peace. Each is unique and focuses on a different approach. Some focus on the importance of education or peace education, others on community cohesion, a few on the arts or creative expression, and some focus on cultural values that foster peace.
“Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.” – Maria Montessori (Physician, educator, 1870 – 1952, Italy)
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace.” – Kofi Annan (Former Secretary-General of the United Nations, 1938 – 2018, Ghana)
“Unless we teach children peace, someone else will teach them violence.” – Colman McCarthy (Journalist, teacher, peace activist, 1938 – present, USA)
“Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. Better than a thousand hollow verses is one verse that brings peace. Better than a hundred hollow lines is one line of the law, bringing peace.” – Gautama Buddha (Wandering ascetic and religious teacher, c. 5th to 4th century BC, Malla Republic)
“You may call for peace as loudly as you wish, but where there is no brotherhood there can in the end be no peace.” – Max Lerner (Journalist, educator, 1902 – 1992, Russia and USA)
“Poetry is an act of peace. Peace goes into the making of a poet as flour goes into the making of bread.” – Pablo Neruda (Poet, politician, 1904 – 1973, Chile)
“War is not inherent in human beings. We learn war and we learn peace. The culture of peace is something which is learned, just as violence is learned and war culture is learned.” – Elise Boulding (Sociologist, author, peace scholar, 1920 – 2010, Norway and USA)
“Peace comes from being able to contribute the best that we have, and all that we are, toward creating a world that supports everyone. But it is also securing the space for others to contribute the best that they have and all that they are.” – Hafsat Abiola (Activist, 1974 – present, Nigeria)
“We cannot have peace if we are only concerned with peace. War is not an accident. It is the logical outcome of a certain way of life. If we want to attack war, we have to attack that way of life.” – A. J. Muste (Theologian, activist, writer, 1885 – 1967, Netherlands and USA)
Quotes on transforming how we think about peace and building peace
The quotes focus on how a shift in how society thinks about peace will produce tangible benefits for peace. They are critical about power, greed and ignorance as threats to peace. They emphasize that lasting peace requires equality, justice, and creativity.
“We look forward to the time when the power to love will replace the love of power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace.” – William Ellery Channing (Theologian, 1780 – 1842, USA)
“The opposite of war is not peace, it’s creation.” – Jonathan Larson (Composer, playwright, 1960 – 1996, USA)
“Until the philosophy which holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned; until there is no longer first-class and second class citizens of any nation; until the color of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the color of his eyes; until the basic human rights are equally guaranteed to all without regard to race; until that day, the dream of lasting peace and world citizenship and the rule of international morality will remain but a fleeting illusion, to be pursued but never attained.” – Haile Selassie Former Emperor of Ethiopia, 1892 – 1975, Ethiopia)
“The strongest passions, and most dangerous weaknesses of the human breast; ambition, avarice, vanity, the honorable or venial love of fame, are all in conspiracy against the desire and duty of peace.” – Alexander Hamilton (Political leader, 1755 – 1804, USA)
“Ignorance is a menace to peace.” – Paul Harris (Lawyer, founder of Rotary International, 1868 – 1947, USA)
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” – Jimi Hendrix (Musician, 1942 – 1970, USA)
“To preserve peace, we need weapons of smaller and men of larger caliber.” – Unknown author
Learn about peace, building peace, and take action
As you reflect on these great quotes on peace, it’s easy to see how building peace is a multifaceted process that calls on each of us to act in meaningful ways. Whether it’s recognizing the structural and cultural violence in our world or finding creative approaches to transform them, these quotes offer powerful insights to inspire action. Now let’s apply these lessons! Whether through fostering dialogue, advocating for justice, or simply embracing empathy in everyday life, there are countless ways you can contribute to building a more peaceful world.
If you like this article, check out my other one that included many more peace quotes: 114 Quotes on Peace and Peacebuilding
Also, if you have a quote that you think I should add to this list, please CLICK HERE to share it with me.
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