Love Quote by Howard Zinn
““Why will you take by force what you may have quietly by love? Why will you destroy us who supply you with food? What can you get by war? We can hide our provisions and run into the woods; then you will starve for wronging your friends. Why are you jealous of us? We are unarmed, and willing to give you what you ask, if you come in a friendly manner, and not so simple as not to know that it is much better to eat good meat, sleep comfortably, live quietly with my wives and children, laugh and be merry with the English, and trade for their copper and hatchets, than to run away from them, and to lie cold in the woods, feed on acorns, roots and such trash, and be so hunted that I can neither eat nor sleep. In these wars, my men must sit up watching, and if a twig break, they all cry out “Here comes Captain Smith!” So I must end my miserable life. Take away your guns and swords, the cause of all our jealousy, or you may all die in the same manner.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Indigenous perspective on colonial conflict, 19th century, recorded in Zinn’s “A People’s History of the United States”
The speaker laments violent colonization, urging peace and mutual aid over war, highlighting the suffering caused by greed and mistrust.
In simple terms: Violence harms both sides; peace benefits all.
Choose dialogue over weapons.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- colonial negotiations
- community defense
- resource sharing
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives to violence could be pursued?
- How does fear fuel conflict?
War may seem inevitable but escalates suffering for all parties.