Daniel Berrigan Quotes

Powerful Daniel Berrigan for Daily Growth

About Daniel Berrigan

Daniel Berrigan (May 9, 1921 – April 30, 2016) was an American Roman Catholic priest, poet, activist, and prominent figure in the peace movement during the Vietnam War era. Known for his powerful anti-war poetry and radical acts of civil disobedience, he played a crucial role in shaping the conscience of a generation. Born in Virginia, Minnesota, Berrigan grew up in a devout Catholic family. He attended Columbia University before joining the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1943. His intellectual curiosity and spiritual dedication led him to study philosophy at Fordham University and theology at Woodstock College. Influenced by the social justice teachings of Jesus, Berrigan's life was deeply marked by the struggles for peace and justice during turbulent times. He wrote numerous books of poetry, prose, and essays, including "The Trial of the Catonsville Nine" (1968), a memoir about his famous act of civil disobedience with his brother Philip Berrigan in 1968, when they burned draft records to protest against the Vietnam War. Another influential work was "Declare the Old Myths Tenanted: Poems for the American Century" (1965), which contained powerful poems denouncing war and advocating for peace. Berrigan's activism extended beyond anti-war efforts, as he also spoke out against nuclear weapons and supported civil rights movements. Throughout his life, Daniel Berrigan remained a passionate advocate for nonviolence and social justice. His works continue to inspire readers and remind us of the importance of standing up for one's beliefs in the face of adversity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The time is always right to do what is right."

This quote from Daniel Berrigan emphasizes that there is no specific ideal moment for performing the morally correct action. Regardless of circumstances, when one knows what is right, it should be done at any given time. It underscores a sense of moral responsibility, urging individuals to take decisive actions in upholding justice, truth, and fairness whenever they have the opportunity.


"Action is the antidote to despair."

This quote by Daniel Berrigan suggests that taking action is a powerful remedy for despair, or feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness. By acting upon our beliefs and working towards positive change, we can alleviate feelings of helplessness and create hope in ourselves and others. It encourages us to actively engage with the world around us and work towards making it a better place, rather than merely passively accepting our circumstances or giving in to despair.


"Nonviolence is not inaction. Nonviolent action is intensely active."

The quote by Daniel Berrigan, "Nonviolence is not inaction. Nonviolent action is intensely active," highlights the misconception that nonviolence equates to passivity or doing nothing. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of actively engaging in peaceful resistance against injustice. In other words, nonviolence involves intentional and deliberate actions aimed at achieving positive change without resorting to violence. This perspective underscores the belief that meaningful progress can be made through dialogue, cooperation, and compassion rather than through force or aggression.


"If they take me away, I won't be here to worry about it."

This quote by Daniel Berrigan reflects a profound sense of peace, courage, and acceptance. He is expressing that he has lived his life according to his convictions, and regardless of the consequences (being taken away), he will no longer have to worry about it because he won't be here to experience them. This quote shows resilience in the face of adversity, a determination to follow one's beliefs, and an understanding that personal freedom and peace often come from inner strength and conviction.


"The ultimate logic of racism is genocide."

This quote highlights a fundamental truth: Racism, when left unchecked, can lead to the most extreme form of oppression – genocide. By denying equal rights, respect, and humanity to an entire group based on their race or ethnicity, racism erodes compassion, empathy, and the very fabric of societal values. This dehumanization paves the way for the justification of violence, discrimination, and ultimately, mass extermination. Therefore, it is crucial to challenge and combat racism at every level to ensure that the horrors of genocide do not repeat themselves.


A revolution is interesting insofar as it avoids like the plague the plague it promised to heal.

- Daniel Berrigan

Interesting, Like, Plague, Heal

We have one of our priests in prison right now, Steve Kelly, for his antiwar actions, and three of us in the community are forbidden to visit him because we're all convicted felons.

- Daniel Berrigan

Right, Forbidden, Antiwar, Priests

I'd like to die with my boots on.

- Daniel Berrigan

Die, Like, Boots

You have to struggle to stay alive and be of use as long as you can.

- Daniel Berrigan

Alive, You, Use, Struggle

There is no peace because the making of peace is at least as costly as the making of war - at least as exigent, at least as disruptive, at least as liable to bring disgrace and prison and death in its wake.

- Daniel Berrigan

Death, Making, Least, Liable

And their conviction is that if it is done with that kind of purity it will go somewhere. I believe that with all my heart, but I'm not responsible for its going somewhere.

- Daniel Berrigan

Will, Purity, Going, All My Heart

It's also reflective of a young person's religion or faith in that it's highly charged with sacramental imagery and with country imagery, because I was in the seminary for so many years in the country.

- Daniel Berrigan

Faith, Young, Country, Highly

Well, I've been in several films including documentaries, but the big blockbuster, I was hired as advisor to the actors, I was trying to make Jesuits out of them.

- Daniel Berrigan

Big, Been, Films, Hired

I never met a Jesuit before I applied for the order.

- Daniel Berrigan

Never, Before, Applied, Order

Because success is such a weasel word anyway, it's such a horribly American word, and it's such a vamp and, I think it's a death trap.

- Daniel Berrigan

Think, I Think, Horribly, Vamp

The arms race is worse than it ever was, the dumping of creation down a military rat hole is worse than it ever was, the wars across the earth are worse than they ever were.

- Daniel Berrigan

Race, Rat, Dumping, Creation

You can't bank on the outcome.

- Daniel Berrigan

Bank, You, Outcome

It's not going to be easy to change things.

- Daniel Berrigan

Change, Going, Things, Change Things

The Jesuits I know who have died and all their lives were great teachers, they're the least remembered people.

- Daniel Berrigan

Lives, Great Teachers, Least, Jesuits

I was publishing when I was 20, 21. And it really never stopped.

- Daniel Berrigan

Never, Stopped, Really, Publishing

Well, I think I was always sort of reflecting where I was and my sense of surroundings and ecology, urban or country, or foreign, living in Europe, very affected by all of that.

- Daniel Berrigan

Think, Country, Always, Ecology

Spirituality was the main issue. Connection with God was the main issue.

- Daniel Berrigan

Spirituality, Issue, Main, Connection

One is called to live nonviolently, even if the change one works for seems impossible.

- Daniel Berrigan

Peace, Works, Even, Seems

I think of my brother just out of prison again. He will have spent ten years of the last 30 in prison.

- Daniel Berrigan

Think, Last, I Think, Prison

Most Americans would agree that Plowshares is a Theatre of the Absurd.

- Daniel Berrigan

Theatre, Most, Would, Absurd

My father had very little formal education.

- Daniel Berrigan

Education, Father, Very, Formal

I don't know what more to say. I mean, we're all going to die in a world that is worse than when we entered it.

- Daniel Berrigan

Die, More, Going, Entered

I don't have to prove my life. I just have to live.

- Daniel Berrigan

Life, My Life, Just, Prove

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