Violence is not merely killing another. It is violence when we use a sharp word, when we make a gesture to brush away a person, when we obey because there is fear. So violence isn't merely organized butchery in the name of God, in the name of society or country. Violence is much more subtle, much deeper, and we are inquiring into the very depths of violence. When you call yourself an Indian or a Muslim or a Christian or a European, or anything else, you are being violent. Do you see why it is violent? Because you are separating yourself from the rest of mankind. When you separate yourself by belief, by nationality, by tradition, it breeds violence. So a man who is seeking to understand violence does not belong to any country, to any religion, to any political party or partial system; he is concerned with the total understanding of mankind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Violence is rooted in psychological separation through labels, beliefs, and national identities.
- In plain terms
- Separating yourself by labels causes violence.
- What can you take from it?
- Look beyond identities to reduce violence.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How does your identity separate you?
- Can you feel connected to all?
Another view
Sometimes boundaries are necessary for safety.
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