Ages 8-14

Peace

Peace is more than the absence of war
Peace is living in harmony and not fighting with others.
If everyone in the world were peaceful, this would be a peaceful world.
Peace is being quiet inside.
Peace is a calm and relaxed state of mind.
Peace consists of pure thoughts, pure feelings and good wishes.
Peace begins within each one of us.
To stay peaceful requires strength and compassion.
Peace is a qualitative energy that brings balance.
World peace grows through nonviolence, acceptance, fairness and communication.
Peace is the main characteristic of a civilized society.
"Peace must begin with each one of us. Through quiet and serious reflection on its meaning, new and creative ways can be found to foster understanding, friendships and cooperation among all peoples." - Javier Perez de Cuellar, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

The first respect is to respect myself- to know that I am naturally valuable.
Part of self-respect is knowing my own qualities.
Respect is knowing I am unique and valuable.
Respect is listening to others.
Respect is knowing others are valuable, too.
Respect for the self is the seed that gives growth to confidence.
When we have respect for ourselves, it is easy to have respect for others.
Those who show respect will receive respect.
To know one's natural worth and to honor the worth of others is how one earns respect.
Everyone in the world has the right to live with respect and dignity, including me
Part of respect is knowing I make a difference.

Everyone in this room is lovable and capable.
When I am full of love, anger runs away.
Love is the value that makes our relationships better.
When my words give flowers instead of thorns, I create a better world.
I can have love for myself, love for my family, love for others, love for my country, love for my goals and love for the world - all at the same time.
Love for others means I want what is good for them.
Love means I can be kind, caring and understanding.
When we feel strong inside, it's easy to be loving.
Love is caring, love is sharing.
Love is being a trustworthy friend.
"Our task must be to free ourselves…by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature." - Albert Einstein.
"The real law lives in the kindness of our hearts. If our hearts are empty, no law or political reform can fill them." - Tolstoy

Peace is the goal, tolerance is the method.
Tolerance is being open and receptive to the beauty of differences.
Tolerance is mutual respect through mutual understanding.
The seeds of intolerance are fear and ignorance.
The seed of tolerance, love, is watered by compassion and care.
Those who know how to appreciate the good in people and situations have tolerance.
Tolerance recognizes individuality and diversity while removing divisive masks and defusing tension created by ignorance. (for twelve to fourteen-year old students only.)
Tolerance is also an ability to face difficult situations.
To tolerate life's inconveniences is to let go, be light, make others light and move on.

When I have love and peace inside, happiness just comes.
Happiness is a state of peace in which there is no upheaval or violence.
Give happiness and take happiness.
When there is a feeling of hope, there is happiness.
Good wishes for everyone give happiness inside.
Happiness naturally comes with pure and selfless actions.
Lasting happiness is a state of contentment within.
When one is content with oneself, happiness comes automatically.
When my words express "give flowers instead of thorns," I create a happier world.
Happiness follows giving happiness, sorrow follows giving sorrow.

If we want peace, we have the responsibility to be peaceful.
If we want a clean world, we have the responsibility to care for nature.
Responsibility is doing your share.
Responsibility is accepting what is required and carrying out the task to the best of your ability.
Responsibility is carrying out duties with integrity.
When one is responsible, there is the contentment of having made a contribution.
As a responsible person, I have something worthwhile to offer - and so do others.
A responsible person knows how to be fair, seeing that each gets a share.
With rights there are responsibilities.
Responsibility is not only something that obliges us, but also something that allows us to achieve what we wish.
Each person can perceive her or his own world and look for the balance of rights and responsibilities.
Global responsibility requires respect for all human beings.
Responsibility is using our resources to generate a positive change.

Cooperation exists when people work together toward a common goal.
Cooperation requires recognizing the value of everyone's part and keeping a positive attitude.
One who cooperates creates good wishes and pure feelings for others and the task.
When cooperating, there is a need to know what is needed. Sometimes we need an idea; sometimes we need to let go of our idea. Sometimes we need to lead and sometimes we need to follow.
Cooperation is governed by the principle of mutual respect.
One who cooperates receives cooperation.
Where there is love there is cooperation.
By staying aware of my values, I can give cooperation.
Courage, consideration, caring and sharing provide a foundation for cooperation.

Humility is staying light and easy inside.
Humility goes together with self-respect.
Humility is when I know my strengths but don't brag or show off.
Humility makes arrogance disappear.
A humble person can stay happy inside while listening to others.
With the balance of self-respect and humility, I can stay powerful inside and not need to control others around me.
Humility allows one to be great in the hearts of many.
Humility creates an open mind.
With humility I can recognize my own strengths and the strengths of others.

Honesty is telling the truth.
When I am honest, I feel clear inside.
A person worthy of confidence is honest and true.
Honesty thoughts, words and actions create harmony.
Honesty is to use well what has been entrusted to you.
Honesty is the best policy.
There is a deep relationship between honesty and friendship.
When I am honest, I can learn and help others learn to be giving.
Greed is sometimes at the root of dishonesty.
There is enough for man's need, but not enough for man's greed.
When we are aware we are interconnected, we recognize the importance of honesty.

Simplicity is natural. Simplicity is being natural.
Simplicity is learning from the Earth.
Simplicity is beautiful.
Simplicity is relaxing.
Simplicity is staying in the present and not making things complicated.
Simplicity is enjoying a plain mind and intellect.
Simplicity teaches us economy - how to use our resources wisely, keeping future generations in mind.
Simplicity is giving patience, friendship and encouragement.
Simplicity is appreciating the small things in life.

Freedom resides within the mind and heart.
Freedom is a precious gift.
There can be full freedom when rights are balanced with responsibilities.
There is full freedom when everyone has equal rights.
All people have a right to be free. For all to be free, each one has to respect the rights of others.
Inner freedom is experienced when I have positive thoughts for all, including myself.

Unity is harmony within and among individuals in the group.
Unity continues by accepting and appreciating each person and his or her contribution.
Unity is built from a shared goal, hope or vision.
Unity makes big tasks seem easy.
The greatness of unity is that everyone is respected.
One note of disrespect can cause unity to be broken.
Unity creates the experience of cooperation, increases enthusiasm for the task and makes the atmosphere empowering.
Unity creates a sense of belonging and increases well-being for all.