“Strike against war, for without you no battles can be fought!”
- June 27, 1880 – June 1, 1968
- American
- Author, educator, human rights activist
- Although she lost her sight and hearing due to an illness in her childhood, she engaged in various social activities, such as supporting the visually and hearing impaired and promoting women’s rights.
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Quote
“Strike against war, for without you no battles can be fought!”
Explanation
In this quote, Helen Keller urges individuals to stand up against war and violence, emphasizing that society’s participation and consent are essential for any conflict to continue. By saying “without you no battles can be fought,” she highlights the power of people to reject war and violence by refusing to support or engage in it. Keller’s message is that war is not inevitable, but rather something that requires the active involvement of individuals and societies. If enough people choose peace and resistance, war cannot thrive. Keller advocates for individual responsibility in preventing violence and pushing for nonviolent solutions to conflict.
Keller, a lifelong advocate for social justice, pacifism, and the rights of the marginalized, was deeply opposed to the senseless destruction caused by war. As someone who lived through both world wars and witnessed the suffering they caused, she understood the immense toll that war takes on both the victims and the perpetrators. Keller’s call to “strike against war” is an appeal for conscientious objection and for people to actively work toward building peaceful, compassionate societies, rather than allowing conflict to define their futures.
In the context of the modern world, Keller’s words continue to resonate, especially in a time of political and military tension globally. Whether advocating for peaceful diplomacy, nonviolent protest, or working toward disarmament, Keller’s quote encourages individuals and nations to take responsibility for avoiding conflict and choosing peace. It reminds us that while war may seem like a distant or inevitable force, its continuation depends on our collective choices and actions. By refusing to engage in or support violent actions, we can work toward a more peaceful world where war does not have the power to define our future.
