There are many of us who should be in a position to bring peace

Hear, O children of the earth, the gentle yet powerful words of Shirley Temple: “There are many of us who should be in a position to bring peace to the world.” These are not the words of a warrior, nor of a king, but of one who began her life as a child of light, beloved by millions, and who grew into a woman of diplomacy and service. From her lips comes a truth both humbling and challenging: that the work of peace is not the burden of a chosen few, but the calling of many, perhaps of all.

The origin of these words lies in Temple’s own journey. She first entered the hearts of the world as a child actress, bringing hope and joy during the Great Depression, when despair covered the land like a heavy fog. Later, she devoted herself to public service and diplomacy, representing her nation with dignity. She saw both the cruelty of war and the possibility of reconciliation, and thus she spoke with conviction: there are countless souls, if they would rise to their calling, who could bring peace. The task does not belong only to generals or politicians, but to every man and woman who holds influence in their sphere of life.

The ancients too declared this truth. Did not the philosophers of Greece proclaim that peace is sustained not only by treaties but by the virtue of citizens? Did not the prophets cry out that justice, mercy, and humility are the paths to peace? Shirley Temple’s words echo this ancient wisdom: that peace is not a distant gift granted by rulers alone, but the fruit of the actions of many, each contributing their part.

Consider the tale of Eleanor Roosevelt, who, though not a soldier, brought light and comfort to millions through her advocacy of human rights and her work in shaping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. She was not born into command of armies, but she wielded her influence to heal and uplift. This is the very spirit of Temple’s declaration—that many of us hold the potential to shape the course of the world, if we act with courage and compassion.

But the opposite lesson is also found in history. How often have wars endured because the many were silent, believing peace to be the duty of the few? In times of great conflict, when ordinary men and women refused to raise their voices against injustice, blood flowed unchallenged. Silence has never built peace; only action, chosen again and again by the many, can do so. Shirley Temple’s words are therefore not only an encouragement but also a warning: peace delayed is peace denied, and peace requires the hands of all.

The meaning is clear: each of us carries a spark of influence, whether great or small. To bring peace does not always mean to end wars; sometimes it means to reconcile with a neighbor, to forgive an old wound, to speak kindness where anger reigns, or to guide the next generation in the ways of patience and love. The accumulation of such actions, across millions of lives, builds a world that chooses peace instead of violence.

Practical wisdom flows from this. Look within and ask: where do I stand in a position to bring peace? Is it in my home, with words that heal instead of harm? Is it in my work, by choosing fairness over selfishness? Is it in my community, by seeking reconciliation where there is division? Each small act is a thread, and together they weave the great tapestry of peace.

So remember the teaching of Shirley Temple: there are many who can bring peace, and among them, you are one. Do not wait for kings, nor trust only in governments, but rise yourself to the calling. Speak with gentleness, act with justice, live with compassion. For when the many take up the mantle of peace, the world itself will be transformed, and future generations will walk in the light of harmony rather than the shadow of war.