Pacifism quotes

Violence does not and cannot exist by itself; it is invariable intertwined with the lie. -Alexander Isayevich Solzjenitsyn

Perseverance is more prevailing than violence; and many things which cannot be overcome when they are together, yield themselves up when taken little by little- Plutarch

Returning violence for violence only multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.

To jaw-jaw is always better than to war-war.
-Churchill (extolling the benefits of diplomacy over war)

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I know war as few other men now living know it, and nothing to me is more revolting. I have long advocated its complete abolition, as its very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a method of settling international disputes.
- Douglas MacArthur

"He who joyfully marches to music in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would fully suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, senseless brutality, deplorable loce-of-country stance, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action! It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder."
-Albert Einstein

"When the rich wage war, it is the poor who die."
-Jean-Paul Sartre