Peaceis not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives forresponding to conflict alternatives to passive or aggressive responses,alternatives to violence.
A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't care. Momentum is wht it wants to gather.
Neverforget the power of silence, that massively disconcerting pause which goes onand on and may at last induce an opponent to babble and backtrack nervously.
Bythree methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest;second, imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is thebitterest.
Almost all of our relationships begin and most of them continue as forms of mutual exploitation, a mental or physical barter, to be terminated when one or both parties run out of goods.
