--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Before we went on any protest, whether it…" description: "\"Before we went on any protest, whether it was sit-ins or the freedom rides or any march, we prepared ourselves, and we were disciplined. We were commit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/john-lewis-1310_freedom_before-we-went-on-any-protest-whether-it_833396.jpg" --- # Before we went on any protest, whether it was sit-ins or… ![“Before we went on any protest, whether it was sit-ins or the freedom rides or any march, we prepared ourselves, and we were disciplined. We were committed to the way of peace - the way of non-violence - the way of love - the way of life as the way of living.” quote by John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/john-lewis-1310_freedom_before-we-went-on-any-protest-whether-it_833396.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/john-lewis-1310_freedom_before-we-went-on-any-protest-whether-it_833396.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/326/john-lewis-1310_freedom_before-we-went-on-any-protest-whether-it_833396.jpg) > “Before we went on any protest, whether it was sit-ins or the freedom rides or any march, we prepared ourselves, and we were disciplined. We were committed to the way of peace - the way of non-violence - the way of love - the way of life as the way of living.” [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Activists prepared and disciplined themselves, embracing non‑violence, love, and a peaceful way of life during protests. **In simple terms:** They trained for peaceful protest with love and discipline. Key Takeaway Practice disciplined, non‑violent resistance. Themes civil rights non‑violence discipline love activism Mood determined hopeful serious Type historical inspirational When to use this quote - civil rights marches - sit‑ins - freedom rides Key Concepts peaceful protest strategic planning community building Questions to Reflect On - How can you maintain peace when faced with hostility? - What practices help sustain disciplined activism? A Different Perspective Non‑violence may be challenged by provocation or aggression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Committed Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/committed-way-579702/) [Disciplined Committed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disciplined-committed-579701/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [March](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/march/) [March Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/march-prepared-579700/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Prepared Disciplined](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared-disciplined-579699/) [Way of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-life/) [Way of living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-of-living/) [Way Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-peace-578859/) ## Related quotes > [There are filmmakers like me in different parts of the world that have a story they want to tell, and it's a story that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gerima/there-are-filmmakers-like-me-in-different-parts-of-the-world-that/) [Haile Gerima](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gerima/) > [If I’m committed, there is always a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/if-i-m-committed-there-is-always-a-way/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Many of us in Nashville accepted nonviolence as a way of life, a way of living, not simply as a technique or a tactic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/many-of-us-in-nashville-accepted-nonviolence-as-a-way-of-life-a-way/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I believe in nonviolence as a way of life, as a way of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-believe-in-nonviolence-as-a-way-of-life-as-a-way-of-living/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [We have to believe that a creative being lives within ourselves, whether we like it or not, and that we must get out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-caroline-richards/we-have-to-believe-that-a-creative-being-lives-within-ourselves/) [Mary Caroline Richards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-caroline-richards/) > [This is the way of peace: Overcome evil with good, falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peace-pilgrim/this-is-the-way-of-peace-overcome-evil-with-good-falsehood-with-truth/) [Peace Pilgrim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peace-pilgrim/) > [The only way to peace is forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-only-way-to-peace-is-forgiveness/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [The Only Way To Have Peace is To Teach Peach… ¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-way-to-have-peace-is-to-teach-peach/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Never to wrong others takes one a long way towards peace of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/never-to-wrong-others-takes-one-a-long-way-towards-peace-of-mind/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“Because there is a time for all things. My people, like you, believe in peace. But sometimes, the only way to have peace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kinley-macgregor/because-there-is-a-time-for-all-things-my-people-like-you-believe-in/) [Kinley MacGregor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kinley-macgregor/) > [“One must make a way for peace to enter and then clear a spot in which it can rest”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-d-meg-meeker/one-must-make-a-way-for-peace-to-enter-and-then-clear-a-spot-in-which/) [M.D Meg Meeker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-d-meg-meeker/) > [The best way to have peace is to always be prepared to fight a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/the-best-way-to-have-peace-is-to-always-be-prepared-to-fight-a-way/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [Peace should be understood in a human way - in a broad social, political and economic way. Peace is threatened by unjust economic, social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-yunus/peace-should-be-understood-in-a-human-way-in-a-broad-social-political/) [Muhammad Yunus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-yunus/) > [You don't kill your way to peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imran-khan/you-don-t-kill-your-way-to-peace/) [Imran Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imran-khan/) > [Not judging people is the fastest way to peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-jackson/not-judging-people-is-the-fastest-way-to-peace/) [Jonathan Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-jackson/) ## More by John Lewis > [ I happen to believe that this election year \[2016\] is...one of the most important elections that we're going to face in a very long… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-happen-to-believe-that-this-election-year-2016-is-one-of-the-most/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [If you're not hopeful and optimistic, then you just give up. You have to take that long hard look and just believe that if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/if-you-re-not-hopeful-and-optimistic-then-you-just-give-up-you-have/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The reward for playing jazz is playing jazz.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-reward-for-playing-jazz-is-playing-jazz/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [I am very, very hopeful about the American South - I believe that we will lead America to what Dr. King called 'the beloved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/i-am-very-very-hopeful-about-the-american-south-i-believe-that-we/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [ \[Donald Trump's inauguration\] will be the first one that I miss since I've been in Congress. You cannot be at home with something that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/donald-trump-s-inauguration-will-be-the-first-one-that-i-miss-since-i/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [To question the legitimacy of the next United States president, you know, and you're worried about a tweet that says, hey, why don't you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/to-question-the-legitimacy-of-the-next-united-states-president-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [We are tired of being beaten by policemen. We are tired of seeing our people locked up in jails over and over again. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/we-are-tired-of-being-beaten-by-policemen-we-are-tired-of-seeing-our/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Now we have black and white elected officials working together. Today, we have gone beyond just passing laws. Now we have to create a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/now-we-have-black-and-white-elected-officials-working-together-today/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [“For me, the nomination of Barack Obama as a candidate for president and his inauguration in Washington represents a brief glimpse at the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/for-me-the-nomination-of-barack-obama-as-a-candidate-for-president/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Too many people struggled, suffered, and died to make it possible for every American to exercise their right to vote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/too-many-people-struggled-suffered-and-died-to-make-it-possible-for/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [The vote is precious. It's almost sacred, so go out and vote like you never voted before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/the-vote-is-precious-it-s-almost-sacred-so-go-out-and-vote-like-you/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [My position is very, very simple. That I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color, not to stand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/my-position-is-very-very-simple-that-i-fought-too-long-and-too-hard/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Many of us in Nashville accepted nonviolence as a way of life, a way of living, not simply as a technique or a tactic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/many-of-us-in-nashville-accepted-nonviolence-as-a-way-of-life-a-way/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [Right now, what my job is - pardon me? Those are just words. Right now, what my - my job is right now going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/right-now-what-my-job-is-pardon-me-those-are-just-words-right-now/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) > [ Donald Trump has made it clear that certainly over the last few years that President \[Barack\] Obama was born in Hawaii. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lewis/donald-trump-has-made-it-clear-that-certainly-over-the-last-few-years/) [John Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) [Explore all 258 John Lewis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lewis/) ## More Freedom quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If we gave up our freedom as the price of security, we would no longer be the great nation that we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-bader-ginsburg/if-we-gave-up-our-freedom-as-the-price-of-security-we-would-no-longer/) [Ruth Bader Ginsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-bader-ginsburg/) > [We live in the greatest country in the world because of the veterans who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom and the security…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-husted/we-live-in-the-greatest-country-in-the-world-because-of-the-veterans/) [Jon Husted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-husted/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [“No one was more surprised than I to realize that my newfound freedom had been purchased by giving up on eternity and settling for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-jessop/no-one-was-more-surprised-than-i-to-realize-that-my-newfound-freedom/) [Carolyn Jessop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-jessop/) > [“In a world of fixed future, there can be no right or wrong. Right and wrong demand freedom of choice, but if each action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-lightman/in-a-world-of-fixed-future-there-can-be-no-right-or-wrong-right-and/) [Alan Lightman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-lightman/) > [“In any case, white people, who had robbed black people of their liberty and who profited by this theft every hour that they lived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-baldwin/in-any-case-white-people-who-had-robbed-black-people-of-their-liberty/) [James Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-baldwin/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [“I have to blame myself for not finding any way of reaching him, but I can't feel that either Ruth or I had anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/i-have-to-blame-myself-for-not-finding-any-way-of-reaching-him-but-i/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“It breaks my heart. 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