QuoteProject
In the name of peace_x000D_ _x000D_ They waged the wars_x000D_ _x000D_ ain't they got no shame
Nikki Giovanni
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote critiques the hypocrisy of waging war under the guise of promoting peace.

Nikki Giovanni's quote reflects on the paradox of claiming to seek peace while simultaneously engaging in warfare. It highlights the moral shame associated with such actions, questioning the integrity and responsibility of those who justify violence in the name of a noble cause. The line suggests a deep disillusionment with rhetoric surrounding peace that is contradicted by violent actions, urging reflection on the true motives behind these conflicts.

Themes

PeaceWarHypocrisyShameIntegrity

In practice

Example use cases

During a speech on social justice, one might quote this to emphasize the pitfalls of using violence as a means to achieve peace.

More from Nikki Giovanni

Favorite poems are like favorite children. We definitely have them but we never tell as the others would have their feelings hurt.
Nikki GiovanniRead
I want to be clear about this. If you wrote from experience, you'd get maybe one book, maybe three poems. Writers write from empathy.
Nikki GiovanniRead
A lot of people resist transition and therefore never allow themselves to enjoy who they are. Embrace the change, no matter what it is; once you do, you can learn about the new world you're in and take advantage of it.
Nikki GiovanniRead
Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste.
Nikki GiovanniRead
Style has a profound meaning to Black Americans. If we can’t drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we can’t have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are.
Nikki GiovanniRead
If you were a pure bolt of fire-cutting the skies I'd touch you-risking my life-not because I'm brave or strong, but because I'm fascinated by what the outcome would be.
Nikki GiovanniRead

Similar quotes

Peace must begin within self before there can come action or self application in a way to bring peace-even in thine own household, in thine own vicinity, in thine own state or nation.
Edgar CayceRead
Negotiation and discussion are the greatest weapons we have for promoting peace and development.
Nelson MandelaRead
I enter negotiations with Chairman Arafat, the leader of the PLO, the representative of the Palestinian people, with the purpose to have coexistence between our two entities, Israel as a Jewish state and Palestinian state, entity, next to us, living in peace.
Yitzhak RabinRead
The powerful have invoked God at their side in this war, so that we will accept their power and our weakness as something that has been established by divine plan. But there is no god behind this war other than the god of money, nor any right other than the desire for death and destruction... Today there is a β€œNO” which shall weaken the powerful and strengthen the weak: the β€œNO” to war.
Subcomandante MarcosRead
War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.
John F. KennedyRead
In Israel, there is a peace camp that can convene 200,000 people in central square of this city, on very short notice, and there is a major movement among academics, politicians, thinkers, and public leaders for peace, even at a painful price. On the Palestinian side, you can find them individually here and there, but there is no public movement.
Ehud BarakRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.