Building Quote by Matthew Fox
“A civilization built on dualism and war within and between persons, one that puts its most creative minds and its best engineers to sadistic work building more and more destructive weapons, is no civilization at all. It needs a radical transformation from the heart outwards. It needs to outgrow and outlaw war just as in the last century it outlawed slavery. The human race has outgrown war, but it hardly knows it yet.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Hidden Spirituality of the American Dream, Matthew Fox, 1995
War-driven societies channel creativity into destruction, preventing true civilization; radical heart‑centered change is needed to abolish war like slavery was banned.
In simple terms: War stops real civilization; we need deep change.
Key Takeaway
Transform hearts, outlaw war.
Themes
war
civilization
creativity
transformation
Mood
urgent
reflective
Type
philosophical
activist
When to use this quote
- political reform
- peace activism
- education curricula
- community building
Key Concepts
dualism
radical change
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What personal values can you change to oppose war?
- How can societies shift from competition to cooperation?
A Different Perspective
War may persist due to entrenched power structures.
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