"Peace demands the most heroic labor and the most difficult sacrifice. It demands greater heroism than war. It demands greater fidelity to the truth and a much more perfect purity of conscience"

This quote by Thomas Merton speaks to the concept that peace is not a passive state, however rather an active one that requires effort and devotion. He recommends that achieving peace is more difficult than participating in war, as it needs a greater dedication to reality and a greater level of ethical pureness. He implies that peace is a worthy venture that needs courage and sacrifice, which it is a more respectable pursuit than war. Merton's words remind us that peace is not something that can be taken for approved, but rather something that must be actively pursued and defended. He motivates us to strive for peace, even in the face of problem, and to stay steadfast in our dedication to fact and morality.