I've learned that my people are not the only ones oppressed... I have sung my songs all over the world and everywhere found that some common bond makes the people of all lands take to Negro songs as their own.
Paul RobesonRead
Like any other people, like fathers, mothers, sons and daughters in every land, when the issue of peace or war has been put squarely to the American people, they have registered for peace.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The American people's preference leans towards peace over war, as they share common desires for harmony like families worldwide.
In this quote, Paul Robeson emphasizes that, regardless of nationality, human beings fundamentally desire peace, much like families universally strive for well-being. He suggests that when faced with the critical choice between peace and war, the American populace has consistently shown a clear inclination towards peaceful resolutions, reflecting a shared human value that transcends borders and cultures.
Themes
PeaceWarUnityHumanityDesire
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about international relations, one could reference this quote to emphasize the need for diplomacy over conflict.
More from Paul Robeson
All quotes βWe ask for nothing that is not ours by right, and herein lies the great moral power of our demand.
Paul RobesonRead
My mother was born in your state, Mr. Walter, and my mother was a Quaker, and my ancestors in the time of Washington baked bread for George Washington's troops when they crossed the Delaware, and my own father was a slave.
Paul RobesonRead
The intolerance of the few, or the risk of it, carries the day against the wider humanity of the many.
Paul RobesonRead
I shall take my voice wherever there are those who want to hear the melody of freedom
Paul RobesonRead
And at home in the United States we found continued and increased persecution, first of leaders of the Communist Party, and then of all honest anti-fascists.
Paul RobesonRead
Similar quotes
Of course, let us have peace, we cry, "but at the same time let us have normalcy, let us lose nothing, let our lives stand intact, let us know neither prison nor ill repute nor disruption of ties ... " There is no peace because there are no peacemakers. There are no makers of peace because the making of peace is at least as costly as the making of war - at least as exigent, at least as disruptive, at least as liable to bring disgrace and prison, and death in its wake.
Daniel BerriganRead
Negotiation and discussion are the greatest weapons we have for promoting peace and development.
Nelson MandelaRead
Why has there never been a holiday where peace is celebrated all throughout the world?
Stevie WonderRead
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
War can be avoided, and it ought to be avoided. I want no war.
Chief JosephRead
The people of Israel are entitled, as is any other nation, to live in peace and safety.
Jonathan SacksRead