“War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today.”

“Every inhabitant of this planet must contemplate the day when this planet may no longer be habitable .. The weapons of war must be abolished before they abolish us.”

“All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea - whether it is to sail or to watch it - we are going back from whence we came.”

“When power narrows the areas of a man's concerns, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of his existence”

“When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man's concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.”

“Mankind must put an end to war - or war will put an end to mankind.[Address before the United Nations, September 25 1961]”

“Today our concern must be with the future. For the world is changing. The old era is ending. The old ways will not do.”