Violence does not start
with one person strangling another,
It begins when one person says:
“I love you:
You belong to me!”
Violence does not start
with the euthanasia of the sick,
It begins when one person says:
“You are sick:
You must do as I say!”
Violence starts
when parents oppress obediant children,
and when popes, teachers and parents
all demand self-restraint.
Violence reigns
when the government dictates:
“In order to fight violence,
there is to be no violence except OURS.
Violence reigns
everywhere a person or object
is too high or too holy
to be criticized.
Or where criticism is reduced
to empty words
And the high and mighty
may employ more than just words.
Violence reigns where people say:
“you may use violence”
but also where people say:
“you may not use violence.”
Violence reigns
when political opponents are locked up
under allegations
of inciting violence.
The Law of Violence states:
“What we do is right,
What others do
is violence.”
Perhaps violence can never
be overcome with violence
But it probably won’t
be overcome without it either.
Erich Fried (1921-1988), an Austrian-born poet, writer and translator.
