Peace Starts Here
Thich Nhat Hanh

We often think of peace as the absence of war; that if the powerful countries would reduce their arsenals, we could have peace. But if we look deeply into the weapons, we see our own minds - our prejudices, fears, and ignorance. Even if we transported all the bombs to the moon, the roots of war and the reasons for bombs would still be here, in our hearts and minds, and sooner or later we would make new bombs.

Seek to become more aware of what causes anger and separation, and what overcomes them. Root out the violence in your life, and learn to live compassionately and mindfully. Seek peace. When you have peace within, real peace with others will be possible.

“Let a person have nothing to do for his country, and he will not care for it. It has been said of old, that in a despotism there is at most but one patriot, the despot himself.” John Stuart Mill

“Of what avail is the most broadly popular representative system if the electors do not care to choose the best member of parliament, but choose him who will spend most money to be elected?” John Stuart Mill

God prefers the angry shout of the atheist to the pious prattle of the spiritual. Martin Luther quoted by bonhoeffer per Martin Marty in the Door.

Dick Staub:
Staublog -
When Following Your Passion Isn’t Enough: "ohn Baillie’s daily prayers fits here: “Let me be generous in my judgment of others. Let me be disinterested in my own ideas.” In an era of “express yourself” it is good to be reminded that there are ideas not worth expressing!"

The Writer's Almanac: "Alexander Hamilton wrote, 'The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for among old parchments or musty records. They are written, as with a sunbeam, in the whole volume of human nature by the hand of the divinity itself and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power.'"

The Writer's Almanac: "Khalil Gibran, who wrote: 'Should we all confess our sins to one another we would all laugh at one another for our lack of originality.'"