When it becomes a bloody reality, we have to come together and look at what can be done to return to the order of peace, ... There is no alternative to it.
Shimon PeresRead
You don't make peace with friends. You make it with very unsavory enemies.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True peace often requires reconciling with those we conflict with rather than those we are comfortable with.
This quote by Shimon Peres emphasizes that genuine peace is not achieved through agreements with allies or friends, but rather through confronting and resolving issues with adversaries. It suggests that working with enemies, who may oppose our ideals, is necessary for lasting peace, as it demands understanding, negotiation, and the willingness to find common ground despite differences.
Themes
PeaceEnemiesReconciliationUnderstandingConflict
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a conference on conflict resolution to highlight the importance of engaging with adversaries.
More from Shimon Peres
All quotes βI didn't plan to be a politician. The founder of our country, David Ben-Gurion, called me from the kibbutz to serve in the underground. We were short of manpower, short of arms. I was 24 years old. I was supposed to serve my country for one or two years. I am 89 years old this year, and I keep going.
Shimon PeresRead
The United States is the only power in history that became great by giving and not by taking. I think the crisis was when the United States had more money than ideas. Money doesn't produce money. Ideas produce money.
Shimon PeresRead
The problem of the Middle East is poverty more than politics.
Shimon PeresRead
The Iranian regime suppresses its own people as well as others in the region. It prevents peace by sponsoring terror globally. With the ultimate weapon that it is deceptively developing, the regime aims to gain hegemony over the entire Middle East and hold the world's economy hostage.
Shimon PeresRead
Early in the morning, I fell in love with the girl that later on became my wife. At that time, we were so naive. I wanted to charm her, so I read her Capital by Marx. I thought somehow she would be convinced by the strength of his criticism about capital.
Shimon PeresRead
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