I never again want to see the face of a starving child or hear the weeping of a mother who has lost her son to war. Peace, this is what my husband gave his life for, and I want the world to know that he did not die in vain. Peace, this is what will make me very happy.
Interpretation
This quote expresses a deep desire for peace and the pain caused by loss in war.
Jehan Sadat's quote reflects her personal sorrow and yearning for peace in the aftermath of war, particularly emphasizing the profound impact of losing loved ones and the hope that such sacrifices are not forgotten. It underscores the belief that the ultimate goal of those who have died in conflicts should be the attainment of peace, not further suffering.
In practice
A speech at a peace rally to honor those lost in conflict.
This rally must send a message to the Israeli people, to the Jewish people around the world, to the many people in the Arab world, and indeed to the entire world, that the Israeli people want peace, support peace. For this, I thank you.
Settlements may be temporary, but the action of the nations in the interest of peace and justice must be permanent. We can set up permanent processes. We may not be able to set up permanent decisions.
Out yonder they may curse, revile, and torture one another, defile all the human instincts, make a shambles of creation (if it were in their power), but here, no, here, it is unthinkable, here there is abiding peace, the peace of God, and the serene security created by a handful of good neighbors living at one with the creature world.
My colleagues and I have gone in the footsteps of our predecessors since the very first day we were called by our people to care for their future. We went any place, we looked for any avenue, we made any effort to bring about negotiations between Israel and its neighbors, negotiations without which peace remains an abstract desire.
I truly believe there is a field of peace within and that it can be enlivened and brought to the surface to be enjoyed by all.
Peace, like charity, begins at home.
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