outwardly orderly

"Let us recognize that as with individuals, so with social structures: 

they can be outwardly orderly 

yet inwardly violent.  

And if violence means violating human integrity, 

then without hesitation we must call violent any social structure 

that condemns human beings to hopelessness and helplessness, 

to less than human existence. 

Further, it is clear that people concerned with non-violence must show

not only compassion 

for the victims of violence 

but also a determination to change 

the structures of society that make them objects of compassion."

                                                                                                        

                                                                                                -William Sloane Coffin

Wisdom from a priceless little book called Peace Prayers that I bought for 99 cents at Pegasus yesterday.  These words help me understand why I get out of bed in the morning and why I can't fall asleep at night.  

May we all foster a determination to change and the hope of peace.