The mere fact of an American being present could help save the lives of innocent people. That's why I believe in the importance of bearing witness, to become a voice for the voiceless.
I have heard more than once, 'Shut up and sing!' and I get it now.
I would say that I'm a nonviolent soldier. In place of weapons of violence, you have to use your mind, your heart, your sense of humor, every faculty available to you. . . because no one has the right to take the life of another human being.
Action is the antidote to despair.
You don't get to choose how you're going to die, or when. You can only decide how you're going to live. Now.
I think music has the power to transform people, and in doing so, it has the power to transform situations - some large and some small.
I went to jail for 11 days for disturbing the peace; I was trying to disturb the war.
Virginia Woolf was one example. She was called the "Lover of 100 Gangsters. "
Both religion and natural science require a belief in God for their activities, to the former He is the starting point, and to the latter the goal of every thought process. To the former He is the foundation, to the latter, the crown of the edifice of every generalized world view.
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
In the field of fantastic fiction, the question of world-building is not uncontroversial. But I grew up with 'Dungeons and Dragons,' so that whole world-building thing is very close to my heart.