The United Nations stands for the freedom and equality of all peoples, irrespective of race, religion, or ideology.
Ralph BuncheRead
Peace is no mere matter of men fighting or not fighting. Peace, to have meaning for many who have known only suffering in both peace and war, must be translated into bread or rice, shelter, health, and education, as well as freedom and human dignity - a steadily better life. If peace is to be secure, long-suffering and long-starved, forgotten peoples of the world, the underprivileged and the undernourished, must begin to realize without delay the promise of a new day and a new life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True peace encompasses more than the absence of conflict; it includes basic human needs and dignity.
In this quote, Ralph Bunche emphasizes that peace should not only be defined as the absence of war or conflict between men, but also as the fulfillment of essential human needs such as food, shelter, health, education, freedom, and dignity. He argues that for peace to be truly meaningful, it must address the challenges faced by the underprivileged and marginalized, ensuring a better life for all and recognizing that without addressing these basic needs, peace remains superficial and unattainable for those who suffer.
Themes
PeaceDignityHuman RightsBasic NeedsEducationFreedom
In practice
Example use cases
This quote is powerful for discussing the need for social justice during a community meeting.
More from Ralph Bunche
All quotes →We can never have too much preparation and training. We must be a strong competitor. We must adhere staunchly to the basic principle that anything less than full equality is not enough. If we compromise on that principle our soul is dead.
Ralph BuncheRead
You can surmount the obstacles in your path if you are determined, courageous and hard-working. Never be faint-hearted. Be resolute, but never bitter.
Ralph BuncheRead
The well-being and the hopes of the peoples of the world can never be served until peace - as well as freedom, honor and self-respect - is secure.
Ralph BuncheRead
If you want to get an idea across, wrap it up in a person.
Ralph BuncheRead
There is no problem of human nature which is insoluble.
Ralph BuncheRead
Similar quotes
No price is too great to pay for inner peace. Peace is the harmonious control of life. It is vibrant with life-energy. It is a power that easily transcends all our worldly knowledge. Yet it is not separate from our earthly existence. If we open the right avenues within, this peace can be felt here and now.
Sri ChinmoyRead
Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.
Dalai LamaRead
Working for peace in the future is to work for peace in the present moment.
Nhat HanhRead
So let us persevere. Peace need not be impracticable, and war need not be inevitable. By defining our goal more clearly, by making it seem more manageable and less remote, we can help all peoples to see it, to draw hope from it, and to move irresistibly toward it.
John F. KennedyRead
Let us ever remember that our interest is in concord, not in conflict; and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those of war.
William MckinleyRead
Take away the violence and who will hear the man of peace?
Lorraine HansberryRead