Betty Williams

Author

Betty Williams was a Northern Irish peace activist known for her efforts in promoting non-violence and community reconciliation during the Troubles.

Born
March 1, 1950
Quotes
21
Rank
#5144

About Betty Williams

Betty Williams — Life and Legacy

Betty Williams is a prominent peace activist from Northern Ireland, recognized for her tireless work in advocating for non-violence amidst the violent conflict known as the Troubles. Her significant contribution to peace efforts was marked by her co-founding of the Community of Peace People in 1976, which aimed to promote dialogue and understanding between divided communities. Williams's core belief is encapsulated in her assertion that 'peace is the only way,' reflecting her conviction that sustainable change must come through peaceful means rather than violence. Her quotes often reveal a deep understanding of the complexities of human emotions and the necessity of empathy in activism. For instance, she emphasized that 'hope is the light that guides us,' illustrating her belief that maintaining hope is crucial for those engaged in the struggle for peace. Williams challenged the prevailing norms of her time by advocating for a peaceful resolution to conflict, often at great personal risk. Her work has inspired many to reconsider the role of non-violence in social change. Today, Betty Williams's insights continue to resonate, reminding us of the power of compassion and dialogue in overcoming division. Her legacy serves as a beacon for those committed to fostering peace in a world often marred by conflict.

Quote collection

Betty Williams quotes (page 1 of 2)

21 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Betty Williams Author
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"I have a very hard time with this word 'non-violence,' because I don't believe that I am non-violent. ... Right now, I would love to kill George Bush. I don't know how I ever got a Nobel Peace Prize, because when I see children die, the anger in me is just beyond belief. It's our duty as human beings, whatever age we are, to become the protectors of human life."

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"There is no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution"

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Betty Williams Author
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"We want for our children, as we want for ourselves, our lives at home, at work and at play, to be lives of joy and peace."

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Betty Williams Author
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"I'm trying to show by my actions that you can make a far better world if you just care enough. That's all you have to do. It's no big deal. One act of kindness a day can do it."

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"In a world that we know can feed itself, upwards of 40,000 children die very day from conditions of malnutrition. Surely we must question why we are allowing this carnage to continue"

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Betty Williams Author
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"We believe in taking down the barriers, but we also believe in the most energetic reconciliation among peoples by getting them to know each other, talk each other's languages, understand each other's fears and beliefs, getting to know each other physically, philosophically and spiritually. It is much harder to kill your near neighbor than the thousands of unknown and hostile aliens at the other end of a nuclear missile. We have to create a world in which there are no unknown, hostile aliens at the other end of any missiles..."

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"Compassion is more important than intellect in calling forth the love that the work of peace needs, and intuition can often be a far more powerful searchlight than cold reason."

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Betty Williams Author
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"God doesn't start wars. That's the greatest load of nonsense. Mankind starts wars. But then we bless armies to go and kill in God's name. Somebody's got to blow that myth out of the water."

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"We have to create a world in which there are no unknown, hostile aliens at the other end of any missiles, and that is going to take a tremendous amount of sheer hard work. The only force which can break down those barriers is the force of love, the force of truth, soul-force."

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"Governments do not have the answers. Indeed quite the reversal. A lot of times they not only do not have the answers, they themselves are the problem. If we are committed to helping our world's children, then we must begin to create solutions from the bottom up."

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"We dedicate ourselves to working with our neighbors, near and far, day in and day out, to building that peaceful society in which the tragedies we have known are a bad memory and a continuing warning."

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"Two-point-seven percent unemployment equates to -- everybody who wants to work is working. It equates to full employment."

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