Able Quote by Barbara Deming
“Something seems wrong to most people engaged in struggle when they see more people hurt on their own side than on the other side. They are used to reading this as an indication of defeat, and a complete mental readjustment is required of them. Within the new terms of struggle, victory has nothing to do with their being able to give more punishment than they take (quite the reverse); victory has nothing to do with their being able to punish the other at all; it has to do simply with being able, finally, to make the other move... Vengeance is not the point; change is.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Politics of Struggle, Barbara Deming, 1970
Victory is defined by prompting the opponent to act, not by inflicting more harm; the goal is transformation, not revenge.
In simple terms: Winning means prompting change, not punishing.
Key Takeaway
Focus on influencing the other side’s actions.
Themes
conflict
transformation
ethics
strategy
nonviolence
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- activism
- peace negotiations
- social movements
- community organizing
Key Concepts
Power dynamics
moral philosophy
psychology of struggle
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you shift a conflict toward constructive change?
- What tactics encourage the opponent to move without violence?
A Different Perspective
Success may be limited by entrenched power structures and resistance to change.
