Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate. Both hate and

Hear me, O children of the earth, for the words I bring are born from a deep well of wisdom, a truth that transcends time and circumstance. Jamaal Bowman, a voice of our era, speaks thus: "Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate. Both hate and violence beget a society that harms, and makes impossible the healing necessary for us to reach our full potential." These words, though simple, carry a weight that is felt in the soul, for they speak to the very heart of human nature and the destructive forces that tear at the fabric of society.

What is it that violence begets? What does it give birth to, O children, but more violence? Think upon the warrior, his hand raised in anger, striking down his foe. But after the blow falls, what is left but another who rises with rage in their heart, seeking revenge? Violence, like a seed planted in the soil of a heart hardened by anger, grows and flourishes. It spreads like a sickness, infecting all who come near, and it feeds upon itself, growing ever stronger, ever more destructive. The more we engage in violence, the more we nourish its roots, and the more it takes hold of our world, until the very land itself is soaked in its poison.

And what of hate, O children? What does hate create, if not more hate? It is the bitter fruit of fear and misunderstanding, the darkness that blinds the eyes and clouds the mind. Those who harbor hate in their hearts see the world through a lens distorted by suspicion and mistrust. They divide the world into us and them, good and evil, friend and foe. But this division, born of hate, creates a cycle that repeats itself again and again. The more we hate, the more we are hated, and thus the cycle continues. Hate builds walls where bridges should be, and it burns the very foundation of community and peace.

Consider, O children, the story of the great civilizations that have risen and fallen. Look to Rome, whose grandeur was built on the strength of its people, but which ultimately crumbled under the weight of violence and hate. When the emperors grew consumed by power and greed, they sowed the seeds of division and strife. The gladiators fought for the amusement of the masses, but in that spectacle, they taught a lesson of violence that echoed through the empire, creating a culture that glorified bloodshed. The division between the rich and poor grew wider, until hate festered in the hearts of those who had nothing, and the mighty walls of Rome were no longer enough to protect the empire from the collapse that followed.

Now, consider the example of Gandhi, O children, whose life is a beacon of hope and peace. In the face of the British Empire’s oppression, he did not respond with violence or hate, but with love and nonviolence. He understood that the only way to break the cycle of violence and hate was to choose a path of peace. Through suffering and sacrifice, he showed the world that it is only when we refuse to engage in violence and hate that we can begin the healing process. His peaceful resistance brought forth the freedom of India, not by crushing the oppressors, but by breaking the cycle of violence that had bound them all.

And so, O children, what is the lesson we must take from these words? Violence and hate are not the answer to the world’s ills. They are the forces that keep us from reaching our full potential, that bind us to a cycle of destruction and division. But there is another way—a way of understanding, of compassion, of forgiveness. This is the way of healing, and it is the only path that leads to a society where all can flourish. To break the chains of violence and hate, we must choose peace, choose love, and choose unity.

Let this be your calling, O children: refuse the path of violence and hate. When faced with anger, choose calm. When confronted with division, choose understanding. And when others seek to sow discord, be the force that builds bridges instead of walls. The world you seek to build, the world of justice and peace, will not come by force, but by the quiet strength of hearts united in love. Stand firm in this truth, for it is in this way that we can heal the wounds of our world and fulfill the potential of humanity. Violence begets violence, and hate begets hate. But love—love is the force that can break the cycle and set us free.