100 Peace Quotes To Inspire A Better World

By Maxime Lagacé

Maxime is the founder of WisdomQuotes. He has been collecting quotes since 2004. His goal? To help you develop a calm and peaceful mind. Learn more about him on his about page.

Here are 100 of the most inspiring peace quotes I could find.

The goal?

To inspire unity and peace in you and in the world.

After, we all need inspiration and reminders about generosity, service, and kindness.

It’s what makes the world beautiful.

You’ll discover quotes by Einstein, Buddha, Gandhi, and more.

Enjoy!

peace quotes begins smile mother teresa wisdom woman asian

Peace begins with a smile. Mother Teresa

peace quotes world now too small for anything brotherhood arthur powell davies wisdom

The world is now too small for anything but brotherhood. Arthur Powell Davies

peace quotes love purest form soul matthew donnely wisdom

Love is the purest form of a soul at peace. Matthew Donnelly

peace quotes little people intolerant selfish impatient wise calm loving understanding maxime lagace wisdom

Little people are intolerant, selfish and impatient. Wise people are calm, loving and understanding. Maxime Lagacé

peace quotes you want dont talk your friends enemies desmond tutu wisdom

If you want peace, you don’t talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies. Desmond Tutu

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peace quotes little bit good where those bits together that overwhelm world desmond tutu wisdom

Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize 1984)

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I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace. Helen Keller

peace quotes when you make with yourself the world maha ghosananda wisdom

When you make peace with yourself, you make peace with the world. Maha Ghosananda

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Why can’t people just sit and read books and be nice to each other? David Baldacci

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When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. Jimi Hendrix

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peace quotes cant separate peace from freedom because unless freedom malcolm x wisdom nature landscape mountains

You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom. Malcolm X

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You were placed on this earth to create not to compete. Robert Anthony

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Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. Amelia Earhart

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Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein

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We will know peace the day we truly know ourselves. Maxime Lagacé

The Best Peace Quotes

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peace quotes world begins with inner dalai lama wisdom

World peace begins with inner peace. 14th Dalai Lama

Peace in ourselves, peace in the world. Thich Nhat Hanh

Don’t gain the world and lose your soul, wisdom is better than silver or gold. Bob Marley

You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. Indira Gandhi

First keep the peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others. Thomas a Kempis

An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind. Mahatma Gandhi

peace quotes midst movement chaos keep stillness inside you deepak chopra wisdom city street

In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you. Deepak Chopra

If there must be trouble let it be in my day, that my child may have peace. Thomas Paine

If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace. John Lennon

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To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness. Robert Muller

True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice. Martin Luther King Jr

I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war. Albert Einstein

peace quotes never obtain outer world until make ourselves dalai lama wisdom two persons friends nature sitting

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. 14th Dalai Lama

I have come into this world to see this: the sword drop from men’s hands even at the height of their arc of rage because we have finally realized there is just one flesh we can wound. Hafiz of Persia

Let us bring equality, justice, and peace for all. Not just the politicians and the world leaders, we all need to contribute. Me. You. It is our duty. Malala Yousafzai (Nobel Prize Winner 2014)

You cannot find peace by avoiding life. Virginia Woolf

Make peace with your broken pieces. Unknown

Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles, it takes away today’s peace. Unknown

There is no way to peace, peace is the way. A.J. Muste

peace quotes barbecus road world start anthony bourdain wisdom men beach friends

Barbecue may not be the road to world peace, but it’s a start. Anthony Bourdain

The practice of peace and reconciliation is one of the most vital and artistic of human actions. Thich Nhat Hanh

The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it. Albert Einstein

Peace is not only better than war, but infinitely more arduous. George Bernard Shaw

Peace is not achieved by controlling nations, but mastering our thoughts. John Harricharan

What Is Peace?

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peace quotes absence war presence justice harrison ford wisdom people fun

Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice. Harrison Ford

Peace is not the absence of war; it is a virtue; a state of mind; a disposition for benevolence; confidence; and justice. Baruch Spinoza

Peace is costly but it is worth the expense. African proverb

Peace is the only battle worth waging. Albert Camus

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Part 2. Peace Quotes That Are…

The Most Famous Peace Quotes

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Searching for a famous peace quote? Check out those by Einstein, Buddha, Luther King Jr, Mother Teresa, etc.
peace quotes have forgotten belong each other mother teresa wisdom show hands heart

If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other. Mother Teresa (Nobel Peace Prize 1979)

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. Ralph Waldo Emerson

I believe our sorrow can make us a better country. I believe our righteous anger can be transformed into more justice and more peace. Barack Obama (Nobel Peace Prize 2009)

Resolutely train yourself to attain peace. Buddha

A running world is a peaceful world. Eliud Kipchoge (First man to run a marathon under two hours)

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner. Nelson Mandela (Nobel Peace Prize 1993)

peace quotes virtue civilization war crime victor hugo wisdom women walking nature

Peace is the virtue of civilization. War is its crime. Victor Hugo

No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite. Nelson Mandela

I was a drum major for peace. Martin Luther King Jr (Nobel Peace Prize 1964)

There is something strangely inconsistent about a nation and a press that would praise you when you say, ‘Be nonviolent toward Jim Clark,’ but will curse and damn you when you say, ‘Be nonviolent toward little brown Vietnamese children.’ There is something wrong with that press. Martin Luther King Jr

Some people call me the girl who was shot by the Taliban. And some, the girl who fought for her rights. Malala Yousafzai (Nobel Peace Prize 2014)

There is no greater violence than to deny the dreams of our children. Kailash Satyarthi (Nobel Peace Prize 2014)

The biggest challenge or biggest crisis knocking on the doors of humankind is fear and intolerance. Kailash Satyarhi (Nobel Peace Prize 2014)

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Only art and music have the power to bring peace. Yoko Ono

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones. Albert Einstein

Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable. John F. Kennedy

The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government. Thomas Jefferson

We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. Jimmy Carter

peace quotes working future work present moment thich nhat hanh wisdom man standing mountains nature

Working for peace in the future is to work for peace in the present moment. Thich Nhat Hanh

Part 1. I believe that to meet the challenges of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. 14th Dalai Lama (Real name is Tenzin Gyatso, Nobel Peace Prize 1989)

Part 2. Each of us must learn to work not just for oneself, one’s own family or nation, but for the benefit of all humankind. Universal responsibility is the key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace. 14th Dalai Lama

Non-cooperation is a measure of discipline and sacrifice, and it demands respect for the opposite views. Mahatma Gandhi (Nominated 5 times for Nobel Peace Prize)

Nobody can hurt me without my permission. Mahatma Gandhi

Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will live as one. John Lennon

All we are saying is give peace a chance. John Lennon

Related: 20 Inspirational Lessons From Nobel Prize Winners (lifehack.org)

Short Peace Quotes

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One-liners, short peace quotes, sayings, thoughts and captions for your bio, social status, self-talk, motto, mantra, signs, posters, wallpapers, backgrounds.
peace quotes every step thich nhat hanh wisdom kids walking

Peace is every step. Thich Nhat Hanh

Peace begins when expectation ends. Sri Chinmoy

Dream always of a peaceful, warless, disarmed world. Robert Muller

We make war that we may live in peace. Aristotle

#PeaceDay should be everyday. Michael Douglas (UN Messenger of Peace)

Every drop in the ocean counts. Yoko Ono

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Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace. 14th Dalai Lama

Peace without justice is an impossibility. Desmond Tutu (Nobel Peace Prize 1984)

Love is my weapon. Music is my religion. Peace is in my soul. Unknown

I am centered. I am balanced. I am at peace. Unknown

Peace is never a perfect achievement. Kofi Annan (Nobel Peace Prize 2001)

I, too, am America. Langston Hughes

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Inspirational Peace Quotes (For Changing The World)

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peace quotes human suffering anywhere concerns men women everywhere elie wiesel wisdom kids

Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere. Elie Wiesel

One little person, giving all of her time to peace, makes news. Many people, giving some of their time, can make history. Peace Pilgrim

You who are journalists, writers, citizens, you have the right and duty to say to those you have elected that they must practice mindfulness, calm and deep listening, and loving speech. This is universal thing, taught by all religions. Thich Nhat Hanh (Related: Peace Is Every Step, Amazon book)

Peace has to be created, in order to be maintained. It is the product of faith, strength, energy, will, sympathy, justice, imagination, and the triumph of principle. It will never be achieved by passivity and quietism. Dorothy Thompson

Part 1. Peace is the highest and most strenuous act of the soul, but an entirely harmonious act, in which all our powers and affections are blending in a beautiful proportion, and sustain and perfect one another. William Ellery Channing

Part 2. It is more than the silence after storms. It is as the concord of all melodious sounds… an alliance of love with all beings, a sympathy with all that is pure and happy, a surrender of every separate will and interest, a participation of the spirit and life of the universe… William Ellery Channing

Part 3. This is peace, and the true happiness of humanity. William Ellery Channing

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Peace is our gift to each other. Elie Wiesel (Nobel Peace Prize 1986)

If not now, then when? If not you, then who? If we are able to answer these fundamental questions, then perhaps we can wipe away the blot of human slavery. Kailash Satyarthi (Nobel Peace Prize 2014)

We who work for peace must not falter. We must continue to pray for peace and to act for peace in whatever way we can, we must continue to speak for peace and to live the way of peace; to inspire others, we must continue to think of peace and to know that peace is possible. Peace Pilgrim

Choose. The single clenched fist lifted and ready, or the open hand held out and waiting. Choose: For we meet by one or the other. Carl Sandburg

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy

Wise Peace Sayings

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peace quotes when enemy within enemies outside cannot hurt you african proverb wisdom people happy

When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. African proverb

While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. Francis of Assisi

One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one. Agatha Christie

If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day. Alex Noble

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The less we know ourselves, the more power we crave, the more violent we become. Maxime Lagacé

It’s time for us to turn to each other, not on each other. Jesse Jackson

Everyone’s a pacifist between wars. It’s like being a vegetarian between meals. Colman McCarthy

Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee. Augustine of Hippo

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Those who are at war with others are not at peace with themselves. William Hazlitt

Dad, how do soldiers killing each other solve the world’s problems? Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes)

Be selective in your battles. Sometimes peace is better than being right. Unknown

Either war is obsolete or men are. R. Buckminster Fuller

Conclusion

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If there is to be peace in the world, there must be peace in the nations. If there is to be peace in the nations, there must be peace in the cities. If there is to be peace in the cities, there must be peace between neighbors. If there is to be peace between neighbors, there must be peace in the home. If there is to be peace in the home, there must be peace in the heart. Lao Tzu

A few thoughts on peace…

What does peace mean to you?

For me, it’s simple: it means you respect and accept not just others, but yourself.

It also means you know yourself and your human weaknesses so you can tame your ego and desire for power.

After all, isn’t it the search for power and status that brings us to do things that we wouldn’t normally do?

You and I are peaceful by nature.

But society told us that we were inadequate so we fight to make our place and bring down others.

This way we feel better about ourselves, right?

In sum,

if you don’t truly know yourself and your value, you’ll do things that you’ll regret.

You’ll be too proud and ultimately, violent.

Don’t do that.

You were born beautiful.

Stay that way.

Deal?

Further Readings

Hope you enjoyed these inspiring peace quotes. If you did, please share them with a friend today!

Are you peaceful? What’s your favorite peace quote? And remember: words can transform your life, if you find the right ones.

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Author Bio

maxime lagace

Maxime Lagacé started collecting quotes in 2004 after he lost his girlfriend in a car accident.

In search of meaning, he dived in the self-improvement world, psychology and trail running.

Books, blogs, quotes and nature became his guide.

He started journaling, reflecting, writing his thoughts, feelings and quotes.

His goal was to understand his pain, his depression, his fears, his lack of motivation and inspiration.

He finished his software engineering degree in 2007 at the École de Technologie Supérieure de Montréal.

A few years later, he started his first website to share his love of quotes.

Maxime is a father of two, husband, and INFJ.

Other notable interests of Maxime are health (mental and physical), meditation, bananas, SEO, human potential, and education.

You can find him on X, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube.

Last update

March 6, 2022

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