Ken Keyes, Jr.

“ Children forget that their happiness comes not from possession of the marbles, but from the fun of playing together — and from creating the great adventure of life together.
We can learn to keep our squabbles within bounds. ”

“ We don't have to reject a human being because we don't like his or her programming.
We can just make it clear that we like the person — but we don't like a particular action.
And our thoughts and actions can change because they're not us — in our essence. ”

“ What we are beginning to learn is that our peace of mind may be affected if we live among disturbed people.
Our happiness may be affected if we live among unhappy people.
Our love may be affected if we live among clashing, unloving people. ”

“ Any perception that our lives are an "us-vs.-them" matter is an illusion and can only create alienation, unhappiness — and perhaps death.
If our species is to survive, it must replace the illusions of separateness with the emotional experiences of acceptance, cooperation and togetherness. ”

“ And my ego is often too ready to treat as important all the differences that my mind notices: lifestyle, skin color, social status, educational background, our differing ideas and opinions and on and on. ”