“Hate and force cannot be in just a part of the world without having an effect on the rest of it.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“Hate and force cannot be in just a part of the world without having an effect on the rest of it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt warns against the illusion that violence, hatred, and oppression can be isolated, arguing that their impact inevitably spreads beyond their origin. The statement reflects a belief in the interconnectedness of humanity—that injustice or brutality in one region eventually disturbs peace and stability elsewhere, whether through conflict, refugee crises, or moral contagion.
Roosevelt’s global perspective was shaped by her work with the United Nations and her advocacy for universal human rights. Having lived through two world wars and the rise of totalitarian regimes, she understood that ignoring hate and force abroad often invites danger at home. Her words are a call to moral responsibility and international awareness, urging individuals and nations alike to confront injustice wherever it arises.
Today, her insight is more relevant than ever in an interdependent world. Issues like terrorism, climate injustice, and humanitarian crises are not confined by borders. Roosevelt’s quote reminds us that global problems require global conscience, and that peace and justice cannot flourish when hatred and violence are tolerated, even at a distance.
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