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Obviously what causes war is the desire for power, position, prestige, money; also the disease called nationalism, the worship of a flag; and the disease of organized religion, the worship of a dogma. All these are the causes of war; if you as an individual belong to any of the organized religions, if you are greedy for power, if you are envious, you are bound to produce a society which will result in destruction. So again it depends upon you and not on the leaders-not on so-called statesmen and all the rest of them. It depends upon you and me but we do not seem to realize that. If once we really felt the responsibility of our own actions, how quickly we could bring to an end all these wars, this appalling misery! But you see, we are indifferent. We have three meals a day, we have our jobs, we have our bank account, big or little, and we say, 'For God's sake, don't disturb us, leave us alone'.

Jiddu Krishnamurti#42

ResponsibilityWarPeaceNationalismPower

About this quote

What does it mean?
War stems from individual desires for power and ideology, so ending it depends on personal responsibility.
In plain terms
War comes from individual greed and nationalism, so you must stop it.
What can you take from it?
Peace begins with individual accountability for actions.

Where it applies

  • political activism
  • peacebuilding
  • ethics

Putting it to work

  • taking responsibility
  • rejecting nationalism

Questions to consider

  • How does your behavior contribute to conflict?
  • What responsibility do you hold for global peace?

Another view

It simplifies complex geopolitical conflicts into individual choices.

More from Jiddu Krishnamurti

  1. It is truth that frees, not your effort to be free.

    Permalink to quote #41
  2. Only the free mind knows what love is.

    Permalink to quote #43
  3. It's no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.

    Permalink to quote #40

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