Jose Ramos-Horta Quotes

We think that forgiveness is weakness, but it's absolutely not; it takes a very strong person to forgive.

I did not want bloodshed. I did not want my people killed. I did not want anybody killed....I said in my heart that, rather than have war, I would give up everything rather than have the blood of white men upon the hands of my people.

I'd never hurt another person.

Revenge is easy, but forgiveness requires courage.

The true object of war fought for God should always be peace.

An eye for an eye leaves everybody blind.

What antidote can there be for an idea that popular and poisonous? Revenge provides revenge, which is sure to provide revenge, forming an endless chain of human misery. Here's the antidote: Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Amen.

We shall not kill and maybe next time we even won't.

We can forgive [the Arabs] for killing our children. We cannot forgive them for forcing us to kill their children. We will only have peace with [the Arabs] when they love their children more than they hate us...

Hatred is never ended by hatred but by love.

The drying up a single tear has more, of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.

By paying our other debts, we are equal with all mankind; but in refusing to pay a debt of revenge, we are superior.

Nothing comes from violence and nothing ever could, for all those born beneath an angry star, lest we forget how fragile we are.

A kiss for a blow is always best, though it's not very easy to give it sometimes.

Ours is a nation that does not seek revenge.

Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.

Isn't it easier to forgive than to hate? Until we learn how to forgive, that sort of thing is going to keep on happening." He pointed at the tall pillars of smoke rising to the north. "Hate is a sterile thing, Belgarion.

I'm a strong person, but I'd never resort to violence.

People can forgive each other.

I know that war and mayhem run in our blood. I refuse to believe that they must dominate our lives. We humans are animals, too, but animals with amazing powers of rationality, morality, society. We can use our strength and courage not to savage each other, but to defend our highest purposes.

A prayer that must have a cannon behind it better never be uttered. Forgiveness ought not to go in partnership with shot and shell. Love need not carry knives and revolvers.

War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate.

Force may subdue, but love gains, and he that forgives first wins the laurel.

Until we have created a romance of peace that would equal that of war, violence will not disappear from people's lives.

As a person, I'm anti-violence.