“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at 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
“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt presents peace not as a passive ideal, but as an active, deliberate pursuit. She draws a clear distinction between words, belief, and action: talking about peace is superficial without conviction, and belief alone is powerless without effort. True peace, she insists, demands ongoing work, commitment, and sometimes sacrifice—it is not a wish, but a responsibility.
Roosevelt, who was instrumental in the formation of the United Nations and the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, understood that lasting peace is built not on rhetoric, but on justice, dialogue, and persistent effort. Her quote reflects her conviction that peace is not the absence of war, but the presence of human rights, equality, and mutual respect—all of which require daily labor and vigilance.
In our world, where calls for peace are often loud yet inconsistent, Roosevelt’s words remain profoundly relevant. She reminds us that true peacebuilders are not those who merely speak of peace, but those who act to create it, in their communities, policies, and relationships. Peace, as she frames it, is not a destination—it is a practice that must be lived and renewed with intention.
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