World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements Quotes

“We have to accept that any action we take might promote an equal and opposite reaction that we do not want. We have to realize that even the most noble actions or most obviously correct course can have its dark side that we cannot control or reason our way out of. The fighter of the "just war" must understand that her actions will result in the deaths of other humans; many of whom may be innocent. The pacifist who refuses all war must realize that his inaction might likewise result in the deaths of the innocent. There are no actions without contradiction—and yet we must act, for not to act is also a contradictory action with both positive and negative effects.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

“The ability to overcome failure—to live through it and move on—is crucial. If we are not willing to face failure—if we don't have the skills to survive it—we have precluded any real creativity or risk. Failure may never become our friend, but if we are to do meaningful work, perhaps failure needs to be our companion.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

“The teacher calls on the first student whose hand went up, and everybody else understands that their participation is no longer required, and so they may immediately disengage.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

“Sometimes confusion is a necessary way to slow things down until we have within us the strength and courage to find the best and truest answer instead of settling for an easier, quicker one along the way.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

“Time is the empty space that allows knowledge—let alone wisdom—to grow.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

“Where once there seemed to be room to wonder, to speculate, to not know, there now seems to be increasing pressure for instant answers, immediate solutions, and narrowly defined results.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements

“...if I see myself only in terms of myself, I am always going to be wrong. To fully understand who I am and what I am capable of, I need to always see myself in terms of a community.”
― John Hunter, World Peace and Other 4th-Grade Achievements