I am the victim and you are the aggressor.
“A large group of us were crowded into the Gestapo hall, and at that moment the circumstances of all our lives were the same. All of us occupied the same space, the men behind the desk no less than those about to be questioned. What distinguished each of us was only our inner attitude.” (Etty Hillesum, concentration camp victim, An Interrupted Life)
“As we are, so is the world.” (Ramana Maharshi)
You are the aggressor and I am the victim.
A settler in the Promised Land. A refugee forced out of the Promised Land.
“A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are not.” (Jeremiah 31:15)
“Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not a gift to be shared.” (Henri Nouwen)
“If we could read the secret history of our ‘enemies’ we should find in each person’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.” (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
“I do not want the peace which passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace.” (Helen Keller)
Chris Dawson