The only thing that’s been a worse flop than the organization of non-violence has been the organization of violence.

Meaning of the quote

The quote suggests that efforts to organize violence, such as wars and conflicts, have been even more unsuccessful than efforts to organize non-violence, like peaceful protests. In other words, the attempts to use force and violence to solve problems have been even more disappointing and ineffective than the attempts to solve problems through non-violent means.

About Joan Baez

Joan Baez is an acclaimed American folk singer and activist who has been performing for over 60 years. She is known for her powerful voice, political activism, and interpretations of songs by legendary songwriters like Bob Dylan and Woody Guthrie.

More about the author

More quotes from Joan Baez

Nonviolence is a flop. The only bigger flop is violence.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

Action is the antidote to despair.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

It seems to me that those songs that have been any good, I have nothing much to do with the writing of them. The words have just crawled down my sleeve and come out on the page.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

I’ve never had a humble opinion. If you’ve got an opinion, why be humble about it?

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

The easiest kind of relationship for me is with ten thousand people. The hardest is with one.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

Hypothetical questions get hypothetical answers.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

Instead of getting hard ourselves and trying to compete, women should try and give their best qualities to men – bring them softness, teach them how to cry.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

That’s all nonviolence is – organized love.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

You don’t get to choose how you are going to die or when. You can only decide how you’re going to live.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

If it’s natural to kill, how come men have to go into training to learn how?

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

You may not know it, but at the far end of despair, there is a white clearing where one is almost happy.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)

The only thing that’s been a worse flop than the organization of non-violence has been the organization of violence.

Joan Baez

American contemporary folk musician (born 1941)