“If a person responds to evil in anger or self-defense, he/she not only feeds that evil, but also becomes attached to it — where the anger of his/her attacker is transmuted into his/her own anger at being a “victim”. When this occurs, he/she loses both inner balance and spiritual strength.

On the other hand, by bearing abuse without a decrease of goodwill, he/she can stay “above” the hatred and preserve the foundation of pure compassion that is necessary to experience Inner Peace, as well as free his/her attacker to eventually re-member that same state of being.” ~ unknown

“Let there be no injury and no requital.”

~ Hadith of an-Nawawi 32 (Islam)

“One should choose to be among the persecuted, rather than the persecutors.”

~ The Talmud, Baba Kamma 93a (Judaism)

“Victory breeds hatred, for the defeated live in pain. Happily live the peaceful way, giving up both victory and defeat.”

~ Buddha, Dhammapada 201 (Buddhism)

“For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.”

~ Book of Mormon, Alma 26:32 (Mormonism)

“In wars to gain land, the dead fill the plains; in wars to gain cities, the dead fill the cities. This is known as showing the land the way to devour human flesh. Death is too light a punishment for such men who wage war. Hence those skilled in war should suffer the most severe punishments.”

~ Mencius IV, A. 14 (Confucianism)

“Those who beat you with fists, do not pay them in the same coin,, but go to their house and kiss their feet.”

~ Adi Granth, Farid pg. 1378 (Sikhism)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’  But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

~ Jesus in Matthew 5:38-41 (Christianity)

“Those who are insulted but do not insult others in revenge, who hear themselves reproached without replying, who perform good work out of the love of the Lord and rejoice in their sufferings… are as the sun when he goes forth in his might.”

~ The Talmud, Yoma 23a (Judaism)

“Brethren, if outsiders should speak against me, or against the Doctrine, or against the Order, you should not on that account either bear malice, or suffer resentment, or feel ill will. If you, on that account, should feel angry and hurt, that would stand in the way of your own self- conquest.”

~ Digha Nikaya 1:3 (Buddhism)

“I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I hid not my face from shame and spitting.  For the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been confounded; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near.”

~ Isaiah 50:4-8 (Judaism)

“If an evil man, on hearing of what is good, comes and creates a disturbance, you should hold your peace. You must not angrily upbraid him; then he who has come to curse you will merely harm himself.” ~ Sutra of 42 Sections 7 (Buddhism)

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’  No, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head.”

~ Paul in Romans 12:19-20 (Christianity)

Filed under: Reconciling the Religions by Scaughdt