The cloudy origins of famous quotes
Hello dear readers,
This month of messages, which I called Famous Quaker Quotes, was a little different from the Daily Quaker’s usual format. Instead of choosing quotes that spoke to the same monthly theme, I chose well-known Quaker quotes about all different topics and some excellent but not-so-well-known quotes by famous Friends. And if you answered my call on our social media to contribute your favorite quote, thank you! The ones that didn’t make it to publication this month are stored for safekeeping until the next time we do a month like this. And there will be a next time; there are so many powerful quotes that I just couldn’t fit!
When I was researching for this month, I enjoyed learning about the origins of some quotes that I had heard many times without knowing where they came from. Was it just me who didn’t know it was the Quaker labor, civil rights, and peace activist A.J. Muste who said, “There is no way to peace. Peace is the way”?
The first mention I could find of it in print was from a 1967 New York Times article that said this quote was attributed to Muste on the wall of the Fifth Avenue Vietnam Peace Parade Committee, which he founded. If you know of the original context in which Muste said it, I’d be curious to know! A hint for those of you who sometimes like to do more reading when you’re inspired by a quote from the Daily Quaker Message: I always include a link to the source of the message in the fine print at the bottom of the email.
If there was a message this month that made you think of a friend, I encourage you to forward it to them. Word of mouth is the number one way readers say they found out about the Daily Quaker Message!
Tomorrow we will begin a month on the theme of Quakers Envisioning the Future, a collaboration between myself and Thee Quaker founder Jon Watts. This is a theme best explored through a kaleidoscope of voices, and I’m excited to share the ideas of Friendly visionaries with you.
In peace,
Maeve Sutherland
Editor of the Daily Quaker Message
Reader Responses
How would you explain Quakerism in three sentences or fewer?
Light is like a bath we never leave. It is absolutely everywhere, all the time; within us, outside us, between us and the world. Quakerism help to recognize it, to feel it.
Balthazar B., Wambrechies, Nord, France
Quakerism is a faith tradition centered on the conviction that God's presence resides within every person, making direct spiritual communion possible without formal clergy, rituals, or creeds. Worshipers typically gather in silent community, listening together for divine guidance and insights that emerge from the stillness. This inward spiritual grounding moves Friends to outwardly practice testimonies of peace, equality, integrity, and simplicity in daily life.
Paul R., Fort Wayne, IN, USA
Faith. Hope. Love.
(Saint Paul sort of nailed it.)
Guy J., Lifford, Donegal, Ireland
At its best, which it isn’t always, Quakerism is a community of humans, learning to tell the difference between their own thoughts and the wisdom of the Divine, and trying to be faithful, bringing their part of God’s work alive into building a better world.
Walter H. S., Chapel Hill, NC, USA
One of the keys to Quakerism is that if you ask 10 Quakers to explain it, you'll get 10 different answers, all of which we'd consider to be correct.
For me, Quakerism is a seeking of, and dwelling in, the wisdom, connectedness, joy, and peace of God. And not God as a separate entity, but as one of many words Quakers use to describe our collective spirit.
Wendy L., Vallejo, CA, USA
Mind the light.
Mark M.
That of God Within
The Spirit of God dwells within our heart
Waiting for the Light
David M., Buriram, Nongki, Thailand
Quakers believe that there is a spark of God in every person that the Holy Spirit uses to lead us to purpose and goodness by speaking direction to us with an enduring, calm, quiet voice within that waits until we seek it to be heard. Quakers believe that every life is a ministry and that they have been called to make their lives speak through living testimonies (including simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship) which they not only try to embody but also to manifest in the world. Quakers believe that each individual’s relationship with continuing revelation will be personal and different and therefore respect a wide variety of interactions with doctrine, scripture, and worship while still welcoming all into the community of Friends.
Brent B., Wilmington, OH, USA
Sit down, be still. Listen. Stand up, do good.
Dylan S., Tucson, AZ, USA
Quakers trust in the power of common silence. They trust to be guided by the divine spirit as a community if they listen deeply together. Quakerism is common guided action for the well-being and healing of all that comes out of common silence.
Barbara D., Mönchengladbach, NRW, Germany
Our theology embraces humility and Love first and foremost, engagement through the prophethood of all believers, awareness of the Inner Light, revelation by active listening, and truth by our learning and by our lived experiences.
Our practices lead us to pray, reflect, wait in worship, understand through study and discernment, speak in testimony, engage in our world, share, and befriend.
Our social concerns are centered on simplicity by focusing on what truly matters, peace through spreading non-violent conflict resolution, integrity by being honest and consulting our inner convictions, community through caring and supporting each other, equality by believing and advocating for the equal worth of all people, and stewardship through caring for the Earth protecting it.
Tom L., Louisville, KY, USA
I would use these three verses, if I had to narrow it down.
"The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:31)
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Liz H., Greensboro, NC, USA
Quakerism is a Christian-rooted faith that teaches that everyone can experience God directly within ourselves without needing a priest or minister. We believe in peace, integrity, equality, honesty, simplicity, and treating all people with kindness and respect. We often worship in silence, listening for God’s guidance in our hearts, and believe in putting our faith into action by helping others and working for justice.
Leslie A. M.
I like to say we are "People who seek the light in ourselves and see the light in everyone."
Reese H.
To tell you the truth, I wouldn't try. Way too much to the Friends for three sentences.
Geoff K., Yarmouth, MA
This Week’s Messages
Take your feet from off our necks
Patricia Loring on the fruits of spirituality
Live up to the light thou hast
Still dews of quietness
Art thou in darkness?
Be not afraid
